FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1) have lit up the scoreboard over the previous three weeks, scoring 104 factors whereas taking part in turnover-free soccer.
But they’re solely 1-1-1 in that span — tying the Inexperienced Bay Packers (40-40), defeating the New York Jets (37-22) and falling to the Carolina Panthers (30-27). It marks the 79th three-game stretch for the reason that 1970 AFL/NFL merger wherein a workforce has averaged not less than 30 factors per recreation (34.7) with out committing a turnover. The 2025 Cowboys are the one such workforce and not using a profitable report in that span, per CBS Sports activities Analysis.
The rationale? Beneath new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Dallas has fielded one of many NFL’s worst defenses by way of six weeks. The Cowboys rank thirtieth or worse in practically each main class — thirty first in factors allowed (30.7 per recreation), final in whole protection (411.7 yards per recreation), thirtieth in yards per play allowed (6.2), final in third-down protection (53.2%), and final in passer score allowed (116.9).
Communication breakdowns on the core
Chief amongst Dallas’ points is one thing primary: communication. Missed calls in each the run and cross video games have led to 49 explosive performs allowed this season — the second most within the league, trailing solely the Miami Dolphins (50).
“It’s totally irritating. It is all these factors (given up), the receivers are working vast open down the sector, too many busted coverages,” Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs mentioned Sunday, through The Dallas Morning Information. “It is rather a lot. I really feel like we’re everywhere, and we actually do not have an identification.”
| Cowboys protection this season | Stat | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|
| Factors per recreation allowed | 30.7 | thirty first |
| Complete yards allowed | 411.7 | Final |
| Yards per play allowed | 6.2 | thirtieth |
| Third-down conversion charge allowed | 53.2% | Final |
| QB stress charge | 38.6% | eleventh |
| Sacks | 11 | T-Twenty first |
| Passer score allowed | 116.9 | Final |
| Takeaways | 4 | T-Twenty sixth |
Each Diggs and fellow cornerback Kaiir Elam acknowledged that communication stays a serious drawback — one which’s persevered since Week 2, when now-benched Giants quarterback Russell Wilson torched Dallas for 450 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-37 extra time loss.
“To be protection, we’ve got to speak at a excessive stage and execute,” Elam mentioned Monday. “We undoubtedly could make much more performs, and we undoubtedly [can] simply be able that we’re imagined to. All of us can lean on one another understanding that the opposite man goes to do their job so you are able to do yours.”
Miscues in essential moments
The Cowboys’ defensive miscues had been on show late in opposition to Carolina. On a fourth-and-4 with 2:31 left, Panthers slot receiver Hunter Renfrow slipped open for a seven-yard acquire that unofficially iced the sport. Cornerback DaRon Bland performed tender protection, whereas linebacker Kenneth Murray was late rotating to Renfrow’s aspect.
“DaRon thought he was slightly tighter than he was,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned Monday. “They ran a condensed break up. You by no means need to be double-pressed due to the decide. … There’s little issues there that we will tighten up and clear up. That recreation did not come all the way down to a fourth down. … Give them credit score. They made performs after they wanted to and we did not. And that is why they got here away with the win.”
“You will have to have the ability to play the main points of the decision and perceive what we’re attempting to get carried out and simply play ball inside that,” Cowboys defensive deal with Kenny Clark mentioned Monday. “For probably the most half, I feel it is simply the main points of the protection and simply understanding the main points.”
One other instance of Dallas’ communication points got here when Panthers No. 1 vast receiver Tetairoa McMillan went untouched off the road of scrimmage, by way of the secondary and previous security Donovan Wilson for an easy 19-yard landing early within the second quarter.
“For those who simply watch the movie, you’ll be able to inform there have been a whole lot of guys open,” Elam mentioned. “Lots of schematic issues we’ve got to wash up.”
Scheme confusion provides to the chaos
Do gamers perceive defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme? It looks like a foolish query to ask an NFL participant, however with the best way the Cowboys are taking part in, it is actually truthful. Clark appears to assume so regardless of the on-field play by way of six weeks.
“We’re all getting coached the identical factor,” Clark mentioned. “We’ve got full belief in our coaches. … I perceive the sport plan, so I am positive everyone else does.”
Nonetheless, the disconnect exhibits up on Sundays. In keeping with TruMedia, the Cowboys have performed zone protection on 87.2% of defensive snaps — the very best charge within the NFL. Beneath former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, that quantity was 33.8%, the third-highest man protection charge within the league on the time. Gamers like Diggs and Bland thrived in that man-heavy strategy, however Dallas now performs man simply 7.9% of the time — the bottom charge within the NFL.
“It is simply holding one another accountable and simply attending to the underside of that as a result of we will not go all 12 months taking part in protection like this, particularly with how our offense is taking part in,” Clark mentioned. “If we will match that, we will be a very powerful workforce to beat.”
| Coordinator (Season) | Man Protection Price | Zone Protection Price | Blitz Price | QB Stress Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Quinn (2021–23) | 33.8% (third) | 63.0% (twenty eighth) | 30.2% (tenth) | 41.4% (1st) |
| Mike Zimmer (2024) | 26.0% (fifteenth) | 70.2% (fifteenth) | 32.7% (tenth) | 36.2% (ninth) |
| Matt Eberflus (2025)* | 7.9% (Final) | 87.2% (1st) | 22.4% (Twenty sixth) | 38.6% (eleventh) |
Schottenheimer: ‘We’ve got to tighten up 10 to fifteen p.c’
Schottenheimer, who calls the offense, mentioned he met “at size” with the defensive workers Monday to deal with the issues — not out of panic, he mentioned, however to assist present options.
“It is to not query. It is to teach them from an offensive standpoint to ensure we’re on the identical web page,” Schottenheimer mentioned. “To ask the query why. … That is a part of your job as a head coach. ‘Why is that the best name? Or why is that approach getting used? Or why is that man in that spot?'”
He emphasised that improved communication begins with confidence and vocal management.
“Guys must be boisterous. Guys must have command,” he mentioned. “For those who’re undecided, guys are likely to whisper. We’ve got to ensure our guys are rattling positive, and that they know precisely what we’re doing to allow them to make the calls loud. … They must say it [the call] loud. They must do it with confidence. For those who do not communicate with confidence, it is laborious generally to get everyone feeling assured.”
Regardless of the struggles, Schottenheimer backed Eberflus, insisting he stays the best coach to repair the protection.
“Matt Eberflus is a rattling good soccer coach, and we’ve got to carry out higher. … A part of me being in there [meetings] is to assist, be an asset, inform him I imagine him and I perceive what he is going by way of. It sucks, and it is no enjoyable, however we will journey this factor out and once more. We’ll play higher. We actually will.”
What’s subsequent?
With reigning Offensive Rookie of the Yr Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders coming to city in Week 7, Dallas does not have a lot time to wash up its protection points. The Cowboys are a top-five scoring offense at 29.7 factors per recreation (fourth within the NFL), and Dak Prescott ranks second in landing passes (13), trailing solely Detroit’s Jared Goff (14).
However except the protection finds its footing quickly, Dallas’ offensive fireworks will proceed to go to waste.
