"I know the Cowboys defense has been a roller-coaster in 2025, but the interior defensive line has quietly become one of the most fascinating late-season storylines. For years, we have seen Dallas' defense be defined by pressure of the edge. This season, the middle of the line finally started forcing offenses to rethink how they attack the defense. Now two games remain, and the defensive tackles carry the weight of the defense in the final stretch."
"When you look at defensive tackles, the stats that show if their presence is being felt are pressures, quarterback hits, early-down disruption, and snap volume. If you watch football very much, you know defensive tackles rarely get clean lanes to rush or go untouched. Defensive tackles' value comes in ruining timing, compressing space, and forcing offenses into unfavorable down-and-distance situations. The Dallas interior defensive line has finally provided a reason to dig deeper."
"Quinnen Williams has been the litmus test for elite interior defensive line play in 2025. I found that Williams' 90.5 run-defense grade is 1st among 128 defensive tackles. This means no DT defended the run more efficiently by PFF grading than Williams. His 48 pressures ranks 8th, and he's had nine QB hits while adding three sacks. Quinnen Williams has also been a workhorse, logging 565 defensive snaps, which ranks 33rd among 222 interior defenders."
"This is where we will talk about Osa Odighizuwa, who has been one of Dallas' most consistent interior disruptors. At this point, he has 49 total pressures, ranking 7th among 128 interior defensive tackles. The one thing I noticed that really made Osa special is his 18 quarterback hits, which ranks 2nd among defensive tackles. Now if these pressures can be turned into sacks, he has three on the year,"
The Cowboys' interior defensive line in 2025 has shifted from edge-focused identity to interior-driven disruption, forcing offenses to alter plans. Defensive tackle impact shows up through pressures, quarterback hits, early-down disruption, and snap volume, with value derived from ruining timing, compressing space, and creating unfavorable down-and-distance situations. Quinnen Williams posts a league-leading 90.5 run-defense grade, 48 pressures, nine QB hits, three sacks, and 565 snaps. Osa Odighizuwa delivers 49 pressures (7th) and 18 quarterback hits (2nd) with three sacks. With two games remaining, interior play will carry significant weight for Dallas' defense.
Read at Inside The Star
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