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By BILL NICHOLS / The Dallas Morning News
brnichols@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Protecting a four-point lead, the Cowboys had a golden opportunity to shut down New Orleans. The Saints were in desperation mode, facing third-and-10 from their 33-yard line with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter.
But instead of a big stop, the Cowboys surrendered a game-changing play. Drew Brees threw deep right to Robert Meachem, who beat cornerback Terence Newman for a 55-yard gain to Dallas' 12. One play later, the Saints celebrated the go-ahead touchdown.
Similar, albeit less dramatic, scenarios have played out all season. Third downs have become the bane of Dallas' defense.
The Cowboys rank 26th in defending third downs, allowing a 42.4-percent conversion rate. On Sunday, they face the fourth-best third-down offense in Indianapolis, which boasts a 44.8-percent success rate.
The Cowboys' third-down woes are magnified by the number of big gains surrendered. Three of the Saints' 10 longest plays came on third down.
They gained 28 yards on a third-and-11 pass in the second quarter, and 19 yards on a third-and-3 pass in the third. All three of those extended drives resulted in scores.
In the last three games, 13 of the 30 longest plays surrendered by Dallas came on third downs. Detroit turned a third-and-11 into a 58-yard pass play to the Cowboys' 12. And Chicago turned a third-and-15 into a 59-yard pass completion.
The Cowboys have allowed opponents to convert third downs at 50 percent or better in four of their last seven games. The Packers were 10-of-15, the Lions 10-of-18.
brnichols@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Protecting a four-point lead, the Cowboys had a golden opportunity to shut down New Orleans. The Saints were in desperation mode, facing third-and-10 from their 33-yard line with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter.
But instead of a big stop, the Cowboys surrendered a game-changing play. Drew Brees threw deep right to Robert Meachem, who beat cornerback Terence Newman for a 55-yard gain to Dallas' 12. One play later, the Saints celebrated the go-ahead touchdown.
Similar, albeit less dramatic, scenarios have played out all season. Third downs have become the bane of Dallas' defense.
The Cowboys rank 26th in defending third downs, allowing a 42.4-percent conversion rate. On Sunday, they face the fourth-best third-down offense in Indianapolis, which boasts a 44.8-percent success rate.
The Cowboys' third-down woes are magnified by the number of big gains surrendered. Three of the Saints' 10 longest plays came on third down.
They gained 28 yards on a third-and-11 pass in the second quarter, and 19 yards on a third-and-3 pass in the third. All three of those extended drives resulted in scores.
In the last three games, 13 of the 30 longest plays surrendered by Dallas came on third downs. Detroit turned a third-and-11 into a 58-yard pass play to the Cowboys' 12. And Chicago turned a third-and-15 into a 59-yard pass completion.
The Cowboys have allowed opponents to convert third downs at 50 percent or better in four of their last seven games. The Packers were 10-of-15, the Lions 10-of-18.
