The Dallas Cowboys have had an unpredictable start to their 2024 season, characterized by key victories and difficult defeats. Their 2-2 record reflects the fluctuating performance of America's Team.
Early Season Struggles
The Cowboys endured consecutive home losses in the first three weeks, succumbing to the New Orleans Saints 44-19 and the Baltimore Ravens 28-25. These defeats raised questions about their performance, particularly on the defensive side. In Week 3, the defense allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Ravens, showcasing vulnerabilities that needed urgent addressing.
Turning Point Against the Giants
However, the Cowboys managed to turn the tide against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," clinching a 20-15 win. This victory was significant for many reasons. It marked Dak Prescott's 13th consecutive win against the Giants, tying the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950. Prescott threw for 221 yards, completing 22 of his 21 passes — an almost flawless performance.
Prescott's connections on the field were pivotal. He linked up with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and executed a brilliant 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Kicker Brandon Aubrey also contributed with field goals from 60 and 40 yards, although he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards. Despite this miss, Aubrey remains incredibly efficient, being 16 of 17 from such distances and holding the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Resurgence
Defensively, the Cowboys showed remarkable improvement against the Giants. After allowing 274 rushing yards in Week 3, they restricted the Giants to just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a crucial role in shutting down the Giants' run game. Unfortunately, the game was not without its setbacks, as key players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence sustained injuries in the second half. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, while Parsons fortunately received negative X-ray results. "I'll be good," Parsons assured fans and teammates alike.
The game concluded dramatically, with Amani Oruwariye intercepting a pass with just 15 seconds left, securing the Cowboys' victory. Nonetheless, the team faces additional injury concerns, with DaRon Bland suffering from a stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury.
Offensive Jitters
Despite the win, the Cowboys' offense has shown concerning signs. They are averaging 75.3 rushing yards per game, ranking third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league, and the longest rush of the season by a Cowboys player stands at a mere 12 yards by CeeDee Lamb. These statistics point to a need for significant improvement in the running game to balance the offensive attack.
Key Player Insights
DeMarcus Lawrence didn't mince words about the team's performance, urging his teammates to "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play" and to "Get out of playing little league football." Micah Parsons echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of teamwork: "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
The Cowboys' next challenges come against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, tests that will further reveal the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from early setbacks. With critical players like Prescott performing at a high level and the defense showing signs of improvement, the Cowboys' season could still pivot in a positive direction. However, addressing their offensive struggles and managing injuries will be crucial in determining how the rest of their season unfolds.