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Do you think the Cowboys defensive line can have success on Sunday?

In 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.

Interior Defensive Line

Osa Odighizuwa

(2025 Stats: 574 Total snaps, 38 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 43 Pressures, 3 Sack)

Grade: 66.8

Solomon Thomas

(2025 Stats: 352 Total snaps, 23 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)

Grade: 59.0

Kenny Clark

(2025 Stats: 615 Total snaps, 30 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 39 Pressures, 3 Sacks)

Grade: 64.4

Jay Toia

(2025 Stats: 89 Total snaps, 3 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 1 Pressure, 0 Sacks)

Grade: 29.9

Quinnen Williams

(2025 Stats [including Jets]: 565 Total snaps, 48 Total Tackles, 11 TFL, 48 Pressures, 2.5 Sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT)

Grade: 86.5

The good news heading into this week is the Cowboys’ interior defenders have played pretty well this year, not perfect, but have been good. As a unit, the defensive line is at 39% in Pass Rush Win Rate (12th) and 32% Run Stop Win Rate (6th), so the plan is to push the middle of the pocket and make every Justin Herbert dropback feel crowded. Individually, the star power inside has been Quinnen Williams, who is number one in Run Stop Win Rate (46%) among inside defensive linemen, while Osa Odighizuwa is also top-10 (39%). Williams even charts third among defensive tackles in Pass Rush Win Rate (13%). That’s a fantastic blend to have upfront.

Los Angeles counters with a front that’s been shuffled more than Jim Harbaugh would like. Rashawn Slater is out for the year and on injured reserve (torn patellar tendon), Joe Alt has been placed on IR, and the offensive line ever since has been a headache for the coaching staff. Trey Pipkins has been managing an ankle, so keep an eye on his practice report this week.

The numbers say why Dallas should aim its punches straight up the gut, so the defensive tackles are very important this week. The Chargers’ Pass Block Win Rate is 54% (32nd) and Run Block Win Rate is 69% (31st), so it’s a bottom-of-the-league protection unit that’s papered over at times by quick passes and a heavy run mix. The one bright interior spot is Zion Johnson, who ranks second among all inside offensive linemen in Run Block Win Rate (81%), so expect L.A. to lean left on inside runs while using play-action to slow the Cowboys inside pass rush.

On the bookends, Jamaree Salyer has been holding up better than the emergency tackles they cycled through, but has given up one sack and nine pressures in his last three games. And if Pipkins does miss time then Trevor Penning will take over, but he’s drawn rough grades and pressure totals in the six games he played, giving up three sacks during his stretch of games.

Justin Herbert has thrown well and has done a lot to keep the offense of schedule, but he’s been sacked 49, and the Chargers rank 31st in QB sacks taken per game. That’s a flashing neon sign for interior pass rush. The ground game, meanwhile, is a true committee, mostly due to injury. Kimani Vidal leads the team in rushing yards, while Omarion Hampton adds that young juice and will look to play this week after missing time this season, plus there’s Herbert’s legs and he’s contributed 419 rush yards this year at 6.1. L.A. is 11th in rushing yards per game (124 YPG), and impressively the offense ranks third on third-down efficiency at 46.3%, so they stay alive despite protection leaks. Dallas has to break that rhythm on first down to unlock the pass-rush win rates on second and third.

So basically, the Chargers can run it and convert third downs, but their blocking profile is bottom of the league, and Herbert’s sack totals show what happens when the pocket collapses straight ahead. Dallas’ interior has the win-rate to make that collapse happen.

Defensive End

Sam Williams

(2025 Stats: 406 Total snaps, 26 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 20 Pressures, 1 Sack, 1 FR, 1 PD)

Grade: 54.9

Dante Fowler Jr.

(2025 Stats: 307 Total snaps, 13 Total Tackles, 4 TFL, 30 Pressures, 3 Sacks, 3 PD)

Grade: 78.0

Donovan Ezeiruaku

(2025 Stats: 515 Total snaps, 36 Total tackle, 9 TFL, 31 Pressures, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 Sfty)

Grade: 76.9

James Houston

(2025 Stats: 245 Total snaps, 26 Total tackles, 6 TFL, 19 Pressures, 5.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR)

Grade: 65.2

Jadeveon Clowney

(2025 Stats: 271 Total snaps, 31 Total tackles, 5 TFL, 28 Pressures, 4 Sacks, 1 FR, 3 PD)

Grade: 74.6

Dallas’ defensive ends room heads into this Chargers game with something to prove. Last week against Minnesota the pressure just didn’t get home. The Cowboys’ edges last week as a unit managed only four total pressures on J.J. McCarthy between them all, a telling snapshot of an underperforming unit in a must-win situation.

This matchup hands them a chance to flip the narrative, but that’s only if they’re ruthless about where and how they attack. Player to player, this is where the Cowboys’ rotation has to show up. Jadeveon Clowney has been solid on the perimeter with a PFF pass-rush grade of 78.0, which ranks 20th among edge defenders, and plays the run well. Dallas will need to set the edge and force the ball back inside. Dante Fowler best rush plan against whoever starts at right tackle is speed-to-power. Donovan Ezeiruaku skillset has the chance to give this underperforming offensive line nightmares. He can come out with wide-9 bursts, and use inside counters against some shaky offensive tackles.