As the 2024 NFL season progresses, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves navigating a tumultuous journey characterized by significant victories and disheartening defeats. With a current record of 2-2, the Cowboys are keen to find consistency as they prepare for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions.
Early Season Challenges
The Cowboys faced a rocky start, suffering consecutive home defeats. In Week 1, they battled the New Orleans Saints, only to be overwhelmed in a 44-19 loss. The struggles continued into Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, where the Cowboys narrowly missed victory with a 28-25 defeat. A significant low point for the team's defense was allowing 274 rushing yards to the Ravens, an area that would need substantial improvement.
A Noteworthy Rebound
However, fortunes shifted in Week 3 when the Cowboys took on the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." The team emerged victorious with a 20-15 win, thanks in part to the performance of quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott continued his dominating streak against the Giants, securing his 13th consecutive win against the familiar foe, a feat that ties the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback against a single team since at least 1950.
Prescott threw for 221 yards, completing 22 of his 21 passes in a near-flawless display. He connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered a striking 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Despite the offense's challenges in the rushing game, Prescott's precision provided a much-needed lift.
Special Teams and Defensive Strides
Kicker Brandon Aubrey also made a significant impact by converting field goals from 60 and 40 yards. Although Aubrey missed a 51-yard attempt, snapping his perfect streak from beyond 50 yards, he remains an impressive 16 of 17 from that distance, holding the NFL record for the longest consecutive streak of 50-plus yard field goals.
The defense, which had faltered against the Ravens' rush, showed marked improvement against the Giants, allowing just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role in stifling the Giants' run game, demonstrating his growing influence on the field.
Injury Woes
Despite the win, the Cowboys were not unscathed. Star defenders Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both sustained injuries. Parsons’ X-ray results were negative, allowing fans to breathe a sigh of relief after he assured, "I'll be good." Lawrence, however, was less fortunate, as a foot injury in the third quarter sidelined him for the remainder of the game. Lawrence's frustration was evident, as he emphasized the need for every player to bring their best, stating, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and "Get out of playing little league football."
The back end of the defense also took a hit with DaRon Bland nursing a stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury. The pressure is on for other players to step up in their absence.
Offensive Struggles
One area that remains a significant concern for the Cowboys is their rushing offense. Thus far, the team is averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, positioning them as the third-worst in the NFL. Alongside this, their average of 3.5 yards per carry ranks fourth-worst in the league. Even CeeDee Lamb’s 12-yard rush currently stands as the longest rush of the season for the Cowboys, highlighting the struggles in their ground game.
Defensive Cohesion
Amid this mixture of highs and lows, Micah Parsons stressed the importance of unity on the defensive front. "We don’t need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it’s just not in unison," he said, pointing out the necessity for cohesive and united play across all positions.
As the Cowboys gear up for their forthcoming contests against the Steelers and Lions, they must seek a balanced approach that consolidates their offensive capabilities while shoring up defensive vulnerabilities. With star players battling injuries and the running game facing scrutiny, the team's resilience and strategic adjustments will be critical in determining their trajectory for the rest of the season.