Believe it or not, there's a bright spot on the Dallas Cowboys defense despite atrocious start

It's only going to get better for Ezeiruaku, who explained why he's getting better and better with half a season under his belt. Earlier in the week, he talked to reporters about the biggest lessons from his first eight games in the league.

"I would say knowing when and when not to take shots, especially in the pass rush," Ezeiruaku said. "I think I'm starting to understand that a little bit more as I’ve been getting a few more opportunities to rush the passer. I would say that’s probably the biggest thing."

The battle between an edge rusher and an offensive tackle is often described as a chess match. Of course you want to beat the tackle blocking you on every rep. But certain moves and techniques are saved for high-leverage third downs. Counters are set up in advance, like a pawn being sacrificed to set up a devastating checkmate a few moves later. Every rush, even the ones that don’t win, can be part of the setup — probing, conditioning the blocker, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

All the while, tackles are changing their own pass sets to catch edge rushers off guard. Ezeiruaku has learned that himself.

"It’s timing," Ezeiruaku added. "You might get tackles now who will quick set you, then set back deep, or they’re doing things differently themselves. So, it’s definitely a learning curve for sure."

Ezeiruaku knows how the Cowboys can get their next win

The Cowboys need Ezeiruaku to keep showing up because right now, their defensive line needs any help it can get. Dallas' defensive ends have struggled setting the edge versus the run and pressuring quarterbacks without blitzing help. The next test is mobile quarterback Kyler Murray, who is expected to return to the Arizona Cardinals offense after missing consecutive games.

Despite the threat of the dual-threat QB, Ezeiruaku expects the Cowboys defense to be in attack mode.

"We’ve got to attack him, obviously," he told reporters. "And when I say that, I mean we’re going to pass rush. We’re not going to sit around and try to cage him in the pocket, because when you do that, I feel like you’re not attacking. You’re not rushing the passer the way you’re supposed to."

Could that lead to Murray finding clear avenues to run the football and punish the Cowboys with his legs? Perhaps. But on Sunday, it's about forcing Murray to play uncomfortable.

"We obviously know he’s a mobile quarterback — he can run, he can throw the ball — and that’s a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL nowadays," Ezeiruaku added. "So we’ve just got to do our job: rush the passer, get him off his spot, and force him to make throws he’s not comfortable making."

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