In 2020, the Cowboys lined up in the nickel (three cornerbacks, two safeties) on 71% of their defensive plays, the fifth-highest percentage in the league. But that was with Mike Nolan running things in Dallas. Will Dan Quinn run a similar scheme this year?
Quinn provided a first glimpse of what we can expect from his defense in the preseason “dress rehearsal” game against the Texans, and we took careful note:
The Cowboys lined up in a nickel formation on 26 of the 28 first-half snaps against the Texans, but five of those were in a “heavy nickel” formation, with three safeties and two cornerbacks.