The Dallas Cowboys have displayed a tumultuous beginning to their 2024 season, characterized by substantial victories and heartrending losses, leaving fans in a state of flux.
The opening weeks were particularly challenging for the Cowboys, who suffered consecutive home defeats against the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens. The defense especially struggled in Week 3, allowing a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Ravens. This put considerable pressure on the team to regroup and strengthen their strategies.
However, the Cowboys managed to turn the tide with a hard-fought victory against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," narrowly winning 20-15. This triumph improved their season record to 2-2 and highlighted several key performances. Quarterback Dak Prescott's consistency against the Giants continued as he secured his 13th consecutive win against them, tying him for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since 1950.
Prescott threw for 221 yards, completing 22 of his 21 passes in a surprising yet commendable performance. Among his key plays was a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Rico Dowdle and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, underscoring his dynamic play-making ability.
Defensive Resurgence
Significant adjustments were evident in the defensive line-up against the Giants. The defense notably limited the Giants to only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries, a stark contrast to their previous week's vulnerability. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role in this turnaround, proving instrumental in stifling the Giants’ run game.
Despite the defensive success, injuries continued to haunt the Cowboys. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, both key defensive players, sustained injuries during the game. While Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, X-ray results for Parsons were fortunately negative. Reflecting on his condition, Parsons reassured, "I'll be good."
Lawrence, known for his passionate leadership, voiced his frustration and urged the team to elevate their performance by saying, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and "Get out of playing little league football." Echoing the sentiment, Parsons emphasized the importance of unity: "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
Special Teams and Offensive Struggles
Kicker Brandon Aubrey has been a reliable asset for the Cowboys, making significant contributions with field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from distances of 50-plus yards. Aubrey remains an impressive 16 of 17 from such distances and holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
While the defense showed improvement, the Cowboys' offense continued to grapple with inefficiencies, particularly in the rushing department. Averaging only 75.3 rushing yards per game, the team ranks third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is also the fourth-worst in the league. Remarkably, CeeDee Lamb holds the longest rush of the season for the Cowboys at just 12 yards, highlighting a significant area for needed improvement.
Injuries and Future Outlook
In addition to Parsons and Lawrence, the Cowboys are facing other injury concerns. Amani Oruwariye made a critical interception with just 15 seconds remaining to secure the victory against the Giants. However, other key players are dealing with ailments, such as DaRon Bland's stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson’s shoulder injury, further complicating the team's prospects.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will face tough matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. As the team continues to navigate the challenges of a grueling season, both players and coaches will need to address lingering issues and capitalize on their strengths to change the narrative of their 2024 campaign.