Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys getting what they need from their defense

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:03 a.m. ET

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After being a huge liability for much of the past decade, the Dallas Cowboys defense is finally able to give this team exactly what it needs.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) scramble for a loose ball after quarterback Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) fumble that the Cowboys eventually recovered in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

You would be very hard pressed to find anyone who predicted the Dallas Cowboys would be 5-1 heading into their bye week.

Guess it’s a good thing that the games are played on the field, eh?

The hot start by the team is something unexpected, especially given the uncertainty at quarterback that the Cowboys faced in the preseason.

At first, things appeared unsettling at best.

Backup quarterback Kellen Moore injured his lower leg early in camp. The Cowboys scrambled to possibly add a veteran, ultimately failing to acquire Nick Foles. All the while, Tony Romo was preparing to come back from a nightmare 2015 season. That hope stopped before it ever started on a preseason Thursday night in Seattle.

This set the stage for rookie Dak Prescott to step in as the leader of a team with playoff aspirations. Anyone would have considered a 3-3 or even 2-4 start acceptable, especially after last year’s misery.

Instead, the Dallas Cowboys are 5-1, leading the division by a game over a team they already beat away from home.

A huge portion of the credit is certainly due to Prescott and the offense he orchestrates.

Fellow rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott has been a nightmare for defenses. The offensive line has cemented its status as the best in the league. Receiver Cole Beasley is having a breakout year as well.

In fact, only two teams are scoring more points than the Dallas Cowboys through six games.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Benson Mayowa (93) celebrates after the Cowboys recovered a fumble by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

This hot start is not all thanks to the offense however. In fact, you could absolutely make a case that the Dallas Cowboys defense is just as crucial to the success.

Yes, the much-maligned, oft-ridiculed afterthought that has been this defense for a long time is doing some heavy lifting of its own.

Consider the fact that after six games, the Cowboys have faced some pretty impressive talent at the quarterback position.

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Four of the six opposing quarterbacks they have faced led their perspective teams to the playoffs in 2015. Two of them own Super Bowl rings and Super Bowl MVP awards. Yet, none of them have thrown more than two touchdowns against this defense.

The talent they have faced at wide receiver has been off the charts as well. So far, Dallas has had to find a way to stop Odell Beckham, Jr., DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, A.J. Green and Jordy Nelson.

They have done the job every single week. None of those six guys have scored a touchdown against the Cowboys. None of them had more than five receptions. All six failed to gain more than 75 yards receiving.

The Cowboys are in the top ten in scoring defense (7th), takeaways (10th) and rushing yards allowed (10th). All of this has largely been without the services of defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

Lawrence missed the first four games due to suspension. Scandrick has missed the last four due to injury. Both should be healthy and ready after the bye.

If you’re looking for reasons as to why the Cowboys are in the position they are after six weeks, you can start with the offense but don’t forget the D.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws the ball in the second quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

More Dallas Cowboys observations from Week 6:

Next: Five Dallas Cowboys That Earned Their Stars in Week Six

Enjoy the bye week. Go Rams, Vikings and Lions.

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