Q: Context: NFL teams that use the 4 -- 3 defense as of 2017 include the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. The Philadelphia Eagles returned to running a 4 -- 3 defense for the 2016 season, after switching to the 3-4 at the start of 2013. The New York Jets used variations of the 4 -- 3 for the 2012 NFL season against spread offenses, but will stick with the 3-4 defense as its base. The Patriots run a hybrid defense including elements from both the 4-3, and 3-4 defense.

Question: what type of defense do the cowboys run?
Let's give stream of consciousness below
The relevant information to answer the above question is: NFL teams that use the 4 -- 3 defense as of 2017 include the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. So the answer is the 4 -- 3 defense.