Dallas Cowboys: Can DeMarcus Lawrence break the single season sack record?
By Ray Valverde
The Dallas Cowboys were expected to struggle on the defensively, yet after three weeks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence may be playing for the record books.
DeMarcus Lawrence was drafted in 2014 after the Dallas Cowboys moved up to select the pass rusher in the second round. After three mediocre years in Dallas, Lawrence may be breaking out of shell and showing his true potential.
After only three games Lawrence is leading the league with 6.5 sacks and has completely shattered his total of 1 from last season. Before the 2017 season Lawrence only had 9 total sacks in three years, which at the pace he’s playing at now he could equal that this week against the Rams.
Dallas had drafted defensive end Taco Charlton in the first round of this years draft but through three games he has been fairly quiet. The Cowboys desperately needed someone to step up on the defensive line and Lawrence has certainly answered the bell.
In 2008, former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware set a franchise record with 20.0 sacks in a single season.
In 2001, former Giant Michael Strahan set an NFL record with 22.5 sacks in a single season.
With Lawrence having 6.5 sacks in three games, he is on pace to break Ware’s record in Week 12 and Strahan’s record in the following week. Leaving the last four games to pad the stats.
Defenses may start to key on Lawrence with his recent success, but in Week 5 defensive end David Irving will return from suspension. Irving’s return will force offense’s to deal with both ends instead of double teaming on Lawrence’s side.
The Packers, 49ers, Chargers, Giants, and Seahawks all remain on the schedule. As of right now each of these teams has a suspect offensive line that could struggle against Irving and especially Lawrence.
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The Dallas Cowboys have to be extremely impressed with DeMarcus Lawrence and his effort so far. While its likely Lawrence can’t keep this pace but he has the kind of start that’s needed to break the NFL’s single season sack record.