Despite a rash of injuries that have impacted the on-field product, Zimmer’s gotten the most out of the Cowboys’ defense.

Mike Zimmer was dealt a tough hand this season in Dallas. Not only did the new defensive coordinator only get offered a one-year deal to replace Dan Quinn as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, but he had a relatively undisciplined and undermanned roster to work with.

When a team like the Dallas Cowboys has a season like this one, it can be easy to pile on. Everything from the run of 12-win seasons to the playoff catastrophe against the Green Bay Packers in January to the all-in comments to the offseason approach and missing the playoffs altogether are ammunition for fans,