"It was more run-fit sloppiness than pure out-scheming, but Carolina amplified those mistakes with smart tools. The Panthers leaned on motion and condensed splits to muddy the Cowboys' keys so the Cowboys defensive front had to declare gap responsibilities late. Dallas often sat in light, two-high structures and slanted the front, which is fine if second-level fits are clean, but the edges were late setting the force, linebackers overran cutbacks,"
"In this particular case, I'll go with poor run-fits, since the question is specific to the front seven. I think the major scheme issues were once again in the secondary. The Cowboys didn't win off the ball, didn't force Rico Dowdle to stop his feet in the backfield, and couldn't bring down the powerful back in the open field either. A lot of things were bad, including run fits."
Carolina used motion and condensed splits to confuse the Cowboys' pre-snap keys, forcing the defensive front to declare gap responsibilities late. Dallas frequently used light, two-high structures and slanted fronts, but delayed edge force setting, linebackers overran cutbacks, and safeties hesitated to trigger downhill. The result was three- to ten-yard gains for Rico Dowdle and sustained ground success. Analysts attributed the failures variously to poor run fits, schematic shortcomings in the secondary, and a lack of physicality and talent in the front seven. Carolina's physical approach and Dowdle's power magnified Dallas' tackling and alignment deficiencies.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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