This episode of Between the Lines we flip the attention to the defensive line, where chaos meets strategy. This is where the Cowboys’ games are won and lost so let’s dive in.
(2025 Stats: 215 Total snaps, 17 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 17 Pressures, 1 Sack)
(2025 Stats: 160 Total snaps, 14 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 7 Pressures, 0 Sacks)
(2025 Stats: 223 Total snaps, 14 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 15 Pressures, 2 Sacks)
(2025 Stats: 51 Total snaps, 1 Total Tackles, 0 TFL, 2 Pressures, 0 Sack)
(2025 Stats: 39 Total snaps, 1 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 0 Pressures, 0 Sack)
So the Cowboys key task this week for the defensive tackle is very blunt, cave the interior until Carolina runs out of oxygen. And the good news here is Dallas finally has the right two-man wrecking crew to make it happen. Kenny Clark has been extremely productive and plants himself in the A-gap like an immovable object, while Osa Odighizuwa plays the sudden-change defender who slices across a guard before the stance is even settled. That pairing has powered an interior group sitting at a Run Stop Win Rate of 33%, that ranks sixth in the NFL. The plan for the duo writes itself, let Clark compress the pocket from the nose, let Odighizuwa win the angle race, and force Bryce Young to throw from a shrinking pocket with the curtain closing fast.
Carolina’s answer hinges on who’s in uniform and how the protection holds up. The bookends are legit with Ikem Ekwonu on the left and Taylor Moton on the right, both grading among the top 10 tackles in run-block win rate and are a matchup nightmare in the run. The interior is the subplot, reserves Cade Mays and Brady Christensen are currently in starting roles and putting communication under a microscope. That’s a big deal when you’re handing off twist games and spike-and-loop action from Clark and Odighizuwa. Zooming out, the Panthers are 27th in pass-block win rate.
The team’s pass-rush win rate is around 25th in the league, and that snapshot mostly reflects the edge picture, not the interior. Inside, Clark’s blunt force and Odighizuwa’s first step still cloud the quarterback’s ability to play cleanly.
In the run game, Rico Dowdle ranks 18th among running backs in rush yards this year. That all sounds great but here’s the catch, 206 of those yards came in one game, and that was last week, so expect his confidence to be high along with playing against a team he’s very familiar with. Next to Dowdle is rookie Trevor Etienne providing the change-of-pace work and has only 12 attempts this year, but keep an eye on him as he can be a slippery runner. That duo fits the Panthers’ offensive plan with pound the ball first, then sell the pass off it. The offensive line ranks seventh in run-block win rate so expect a steady feed of inside zone and combo blocks, combined with some crafty RPO plays to punish downhill linebackers.
(2025 Stats: 107 Total snaps, 8 Total Tackles, 3 TFL, 3 Pressures, 1 Sack)
(2025 Stats: 179 Total snaps, 11 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressure, 1 Sack)
(2025 Stats: 146 Total snaps, 4 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 14 Pressures, 0 Sacks)
(2025 Stats: 161 Total snaps, 8 Total tackle, 1 TFL, 8 Pressures, 1 Sack)
(2025 Stats: 86 Total snaps, 11 Total tackles, 4 TFL, 8 Pressures, 4 Sscks)
(2025 Stats: 54 Total snaps, 5 Total tackles, 0 TFL, 4 Pressures, 0 Sacks)
Dallas’ edge defenders finally showed up in force last week. Against the Jets they stacked five sacks and turned Justin Fields into a restless traveler, glancing for exits every snap. Dante Fowler Jr. stole the show from the first whistle, threatening the edge, swatting a pass that had everyone standing up for a moment, and tallying a flurry of quarterback hits that had fans saying he’s finally back to his old self. Sam Williams settled in and delivered momentum plays, while Donovan Ezeiruaku sprinted like his cleats had an engine attached. And James Houston? He closed with enough torque to spark the inevitable conversation about whether he deserves to start. The whole operation felt ruthless and rhythmic with waves of speed, timing, and zero hospitality on the perimeter.
Now it’s onto Charlotte, where the bookends aren’t a bargain. Expect tight ends and backs to throw a shoulder toward whichever rusher gets hot, plus a healthy helping of early-down runs to keep the offense in friendly situations. What does that mean for Dallas on the edges? Start by putting Fowler opposite the protection help whenever you can and let him explode from snap one. Sam Williams may not have all tools but his get off and burst is the best on the team, this defense needs that on the edge. Donovan Ezeiruaku is the pace-changer so line him up wide (wide-9 even works with his speed), let him sprint right at Young in pass rush. And if Houston keeps stacking impact reps, unleash him in the gotta-have-it snaps. His cornering ability is the best the Cowboys have to offer.
Carolina will try to slow that storm with downhill doubles, quick RPO plays, and fastball play-action. Dallas’ counter is simple and stubborn, keep the rush lanes tidy, squeeze without surrendering the edge, and crash back on boot-legs and screens.
The Cowboys had a long injury report last week, this week it’s even bigger. Marshawn Kneeland, James Houston, and Jadeveon Clowney are listed as limited this week. Keep watch on the final report and the inactive list on Sunday. Here on BTB, any injuries will be reported and detailed, so come back and check in before the game starts.