Assessing the Biggest Weakness of Each 2016 NFL Playoff Team

Dallas Cowboys: Passing Defense

It is hard to find a pain point for the Dallas Cowboys. They rank in the top four in both passing and rushing offense, and they're ninth against the rush. Simply by default, we wind up focusing on their pass defense.

The Cowboys finished the year ranked 17th in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play and 20th in Sack NEP per drop back. This likely means the shortcomings apply to both the pass rush and the secondary, necessitating a look at the unit as a whole.

The addition of defensive end Randy Gregory off a 14-game suspension figures to help the pass rush (as long as another suspension doesn't come after an appeal hearing Tuesday), and the return of cornerback Morris Claiborne could be huge for the secondary.

Claiborne is expected to return for the playoffs after missing the final nine games of the regular season due to a groin injury. Within the first four games Claiborne was out, both Ben Roethlisberger and Kirk Cousins sliced the Cowboys for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. If he's able to come back by the second round, the Cowboys' one weakness may not be one any longer, and that's a scary prospect for whichever teams they wind up facing.