The Dallas Cowboys’ rollercoaster season took a sharp turn, as two devastating home defeats left fans in a state of panic. The losses weren’t just disappointing, but the manner in which they occurred raised major concerns for the team.
After a promising Week 1 win on the road against the Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys seemed to be on the right track. However, recent performances have highlighted glaring issues, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Just like in last year’s playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, the defense crumbled under pressure in consecutive games.
In their most recent matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys defense was ruthlessly exploited. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry led a relentless ground attack that amassed a staggering 274 rushing yards against Dallas. This marked the most rushing yards allowed by the Cowboys since their previous meeting with Baltimore in Week 13 of the 2020 season.
The Ravens’ game plan specifically targeted rookie standout Micah Parsons, putting him in difficult positions and forcing him to make tough decisions. This tactic paid off as Parsons struggled to contain the Ravens’ potent rushing attack. If the rest of the Cowboys defense fails to step up, it’s likely that more teams will exploit this weakness and put Dallas in a vulnerable position.
Statistics also reveal the Cowboys’ struggles against the run, with opponents opting for running plays on a league-high 51% of plays this season. This is 11.4% higher than expected, indicating a serious flaw in Dallas’ run defense. The Cowboys have allowed a league-high 54.4% success rate on designed runs, with a whopping +24.3 rushing EPA, which is significantly higher than any other team in the league.
As the Cowboys continue to grapple with defensive woes, the team faces an uphill battle to turn their season around. With fans growing increasingly frustrated, Dallas must find ways to shore up their defense and address the issues that have plagued them in recent games. Only time will tell if the Cowboys can rise to the challenge and salvage their season.
