Here’s how the Dallas Cowboys defense keeps pressure coming from every direction

The Dallas Cowboys’ offense is understandably getting a lot of attention during the team’s five-game win streak.

But the defense continues to be the team’s saving grace. Dallas is second in the league in points allowed (246 points) and first downs allowed (237 ) and fourth in yards allowed (4,074) with three games remaining. The Cowboys (8-5) can win the NFC East with a win over the Indianapolis Colts (7-6) at noon Sunday.

The defense, of course, is peppered with talented players and All-Pro level production at each level, including defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch and cornerback Byron Jones.

But to really make defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s scheme so effective, it takes all 11 players swarming to the ball.

“[It’s a] hustle-style defense and knowing that the star of the defense is the defense. We kind of embrace that,” defensive end Tyrone Crawford said. “I feel like we’ve done a good job with that. We definitely run to the ball. All of us are running to the ball. You don’t see any D-linemen loafing. You don’t see corners loafing. No linebackers loafing. No safeties loafing. Everybody’s at the ball. You probably see us all on the screen at the end of the play. Things like that make this defense the way it is.”

Between Crawford (5.5 sacks) and Lawrence (8.5 sacks) on the line are Antwaun Woods, Maliek Collins and Daniel Ross, who have taken turns clogging up the middle and making plays. The trio has combined for 4.5 sacks.

“Not everybody gives those guys glory for the grunt work that they’ve got to do,” said Crawford, who has spent plenty of time at tackle. “I’ve been there. You’re double-teamed almost every play. To still be able to make plays and get past the line of scrimmage and create our own line of scrimmage with that type of attention on you is definitely a hard task.

“And they do it well. And they make it easier for the outside guys when it comes to making tackles and setting the edge. As long as we keep setting the edge on the outside and they’re pushing the line of scrimmage on the inside, our linebackers should be able to run free and go smack people. That’s what we try to do. I feel that those guys have opened it up well for our linebackers.”

The rookie Vander Esch leads the team with 81 tackles. Smith is second with 63, including four sacks.