One stat proves Dallas Cowboys’ defense really is among the NFL’s best

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The Cowboys rank second in the NFL for ‘Havoc Rate’, proving they truly have one of the best defenses in the league.

Sunday’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles is one of the most consequential in recent times. The outcome of Sunday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field will likely decide where the NFC East crown goes this season and clearly determine who the powerhouse in the division is.

Dallas are 5-2 this season, with much of their success built upon their superb defense. The 7-1 Eagles, on the other hand, have powered to the NFL’s best record with a turbocharged offense, led by the likes of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

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One stat proves Dallas Cowboys’ defense really is among the NFL’s best

Both the eye test and stats lead to the same conclusion: the Cowboys have one of the best defenses in the NFL.

They are third in total points allowed (118), fourth in points against per game (17.1), third in total yards against per game (287.43), fourth in passing yards against per game (178.57), and fourth in interceptions (9).

Their defense is multi-faceted, and one Next-Gen proves how truly dominant they have been.

The Cowboys are currently ranked 2nd in the NFL for ‘Havoc Rate’. Dallas has a 61.8% havoc rate, trailing only the Browns who are at a 62.2% havoc rate.

Havoc rate is a stat that takes tackles for a loss or no gain, forced fumbles, interceptions, passes deflected, and pressures and divides them by total plays.

The Cowboys are doing one of those things on over 60% of plays, proving what a menacing unit they are.

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Micah Parsons is at the heart of this defensive dominance

Furthermore, this is a defense that leads the league in pressure percentage, hounding quarterbacks at a 48.9 percent rate. They also rank in the top 10 in blitz percentage (35.0 percent).

While this level of dominance is clearly a collective effort, it’s hard to imagine it operating at the same high level without Micah Parsons.

The All-Pro edge rusher has 13 solo tackles, 9 assists, 6 sacks and one fumble recovery in seven games this season.

Over the past few seasons, Parsons has established himself as one of the few game-breaking pass rushers. Since his second season in 2022, no player has been more effective getting after the quarterback; Parsons is the only defender to accumulate triple-digit pressures (103) over the last two seasons, and has also averaged a 19.3 percent pressure rate – no other player with a minimum of 300 pass rushes eclipses 18 percent.

This efficiency is something the Cowboys will need in abundance when they come against Jalen Hurts this weekend.

Hurts has thrown for 2,140 yards, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on 68.4% passing so far this season. He also has a team-high 6 rushing TDs along with 280 rushing yards.