Despite quarterback Dak Prescott’s sparkling, near-MVP level of play, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a familiar and frustrating position: a porous defense is undermining their season, echoing the disastrous 2020 campaign and leaving fans questioning the team’s direction.
The Dallas Cowboys are currently navigating a season that feels eerily similar to their struggles five years ago. Once again, their defense has become a gaping wound, threatening to derail what could otherwise be a standout year for franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. This time, however, the circumstances are far more frustrating for the fanbase.
A Haunting Echo of the 2020 Season
The last time the Cowboys defense plumbed such depths was in 2020. During that season, under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s unit surrendered a club-record 473 points. However, Prescott’s gruesome ankle injury in Week 5 significantly shifted the narrative, making defensive failures feel less impactful as the team grappled with the loss of its star quarterback amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, the “one-and-done” defensive coordinator at least saw the season through to its end, as noted by AP News.
Fast forward to the 2025 season, and the situation is starkly different. Dak Prescott is in exceptional form, reminiscent of his near-MVP play from two years prior. Over the past three games, he has been nothing short of brilliant, tallying 11 touchdowns (10 passing) without a single turnover and boasting a stellar QB rating of 127.4. Yet, his heroic efforts are not translating into wins. The Cowboys currently hold a disappointing 1-1-1 record in their last three outings, contributing to a 2-3-1 overall mark heading into their crucial home game against Washington.
Eberflus Under Fire: Coaching on the Hot Seat?
The glaring issues have put defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus squarely in the spotlight. Just six games into his pairing with first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, speculation about Eberflus’ job security is mounting. However, Schottenheimer has publicly defended his coordinator, stating, “That’s a great coach. He’s been around. Everywhere he’s been, he’s had good defenses. It’s not just Matt by himself. You know, Matt’s trying. The players are trying. This is not a lack of effort.”
Eberflus’ pedigree includes coaching Dallas linebackers before a successful stint as defensive coordinator in Indianapolis. While he was fired as head coach in Chicago last season, his track record as a defensive mind has generally been strong. Fans are left to wonder if the current struggles are due to scheme, personnel, or a combination of both.
The Parsons Aftermath and Defensive Breakdown
One undeniable factor differentiating this season from 2020 is a significant roster change. The Cowboys traded their best player, star pass rusher Micah Parsons, just a week before Eberflus’ coordinator debut, as reported by AP News. This jarring personnel shift has inevitably impacted the defense’s ability to execute Eberflus’ zone scheme, particularly in the secondary, which has often appeared lost.
The recent loss to the Carolina Panthers, a 30-27 defeat sealed by Ryan Fitzgerald’s game-ending field goal, highlighted the defense’s profound deficiencies. Dallas’ 32nd-ranked defense gave up a staggering 216 rushing yards and a critical fourth-down conversion late in the game, preventing the offense from getting the ball back. Blown coverages, which had seemed to improve in previous weeks, resurfaced as a major problem.
Perhaps the most embarrassing aspect was the performance of former Cowboy Rico Dowdle. Let go by Dallas in the offseason after becoming the franchise’s first undrafted running back to rush for 1,000 yards, Dowdle shredded his old team for 239 scrimmage yards. He amassed 183 rushing yards on 15 carries of at least 7 yards and added a 36-yard touchdown catch, on which he was wide open downfield. Dowdle had previously tried to warn the Cowboys to “buckle up,” a sentiment that proved prophetic.
Kenny Clark, the defensive tackle acquired from Green Bay in the Parsons trade and touted by owner Jerry Jones as the solution for years of run defense struggles, admitted, “We all watched the same game. It’s a little bit of everything, from communication to missed tackles.”
Offensive Silver Linings Amidst the Storm
While the defense falters, the offense has provided some much-needed bright spots, showcasing the team’s potential if balanced play can be achieved.
What’s Working:
- George Pickens’ Phenomenal Play: Wide receiver George Pickens has stepped up in a huge way. With top target CeeDee Lamb sidelined for three games with an ankle injury, Pickens, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, has been phenomenal, averaging 120 yards in Lamb’s absence. He boasts a five-game touchdown streak, with six TDs on the season.
- Hunter Luepke’s Clutch Contributions: Fullback Hunter Luepke continues to impress. A week after bulling his way to a first down in a 37-22 victory over the New York Jets, he secured his first career touchdown grab with a 3-yarder on fourth-and-1 against Carolina.
Critical Missteps and Areas Needing Help:
- Daron Bland’s Coverage Blunder: Cornerback Daron Bland, who recently signed a $92 million extension, made a critical mistake in the final drive against Carolina. Lined up well beyond the first down marker, he allowed Hunter Renfrow a 7-yard catch on fourth-and-4, significantly plummeting Dallas’ chances of winning. Whether it was a scheme issue or a personal error, the optics were terrible.
- Schottenheimer’s Fourth-Quarter Play-Calling: Head coach and play-caller Brian Schottenheimer had a rough fourth quarter. After a Prescott fumble deep in Carolina territory, two incompletions led to a short field goal instead of a potential go-ahead touchdown. Later, a rare defensive stop was followed by a first-down screen that lost 5 yards, resulting in a three-and-out, and Dallas never got the ball back.
Injury Report and Key Numbers
The team is hopeful for the return of key offensive players. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and rookie right guard Tyler Booker could be back against the Commanders after missing three games with high ankle sprains. Additionally, wide receiver and kick returner KaVontae Turpin expects to return from a foot injury this week, providing a much-needed boost.
The numbers paint a bleak picture for the defense:
- 32nd (Last) in Total Yards: 411.7 yards per game
- 32nd (Last) in Passing Yards: 269.5 yards per game
- 32nd (Last) in First Downs: 24.2 per game
- 31st in Points: 30.7 points per game
- 31st in Yards per Pass Play: 7.85 yards
Looking Ahead: The Washington Commanders Challenge
The Cowboys’ next challenge comes against the Washington Commanders. While Jayden Daniels, the projected AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, has had a stellar rookie season, beating the rival Cowboys hasn’t been one of his accomplishments yet. He lost at home to Dallas in a season where the Cowboys finished 7-10. Daniels even watched from the sidelines as Marcus Mariota engineered a winning drive against Dallas in the regular-season finale, having secured Washington’s playoff berth before that 23-19 victory, as detailed by AP News. This upcoming matchup presents a crucial opportunity for the Cowboys to right the ship and for Daniels to finally get a win against his division rival.
