The Dallas Cowboys have endured a turbulent start to their 2024 NFL season, oscillating between critical victories and challenging defeats. The team's current 2-2 record paints a picture of inconsistency, yet there have been moments of brilliance that suggest potential for growth as the season progresses.
Early Season Struggles
The season began dismally for the Cowboys, with consecutive home losses in the first three weeks that cast a shadow over their early campaign. They fell to the New Orleans Saints 44-19 and followed up with a narrow 28-25 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. These early struggles were compounded by a porous defense that allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against Baltimore.
Turning Point Against the Giants
However, the Cowboys demonstrated resilience in their Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." The 20-15 victory was significant not only for the team standings but also for Dak Prescott, who secured his 13th consecutive win against the Giants. This impressive streak ties the second-longest winning run by a quarterback against a single team since at least 1950.
Prescott's performance was pivotal, completing 22 of his 21 passes for 221 yards. His precision was on full display with a strategic 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Rico Dowdle and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Prescott's contribution was bolstered by kicker Brandon Aubrey, who converted field goals from 60 and 40 yards. Although Aubrey missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards, he remains remarkably consistent, boasting a record of 16 out of 17 in that range.
Defensive Adjustments and Injuries
The Cowboys' defense, which had been a liability in previous games, showed marked improvement against the Giants, limiting them to just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a key role in neutralizing the Giants' run game, while Amani Oruwariye's late interception sealed the victory. Despite the defensive success, the team was not unscathed. Key players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence sustained injuries during the second half. While Lawrence was sidelined with a foot injury after the third quarter, Parsons declared, "I'll be good," after his X-ray results came back negative.
The defense will also have to contend with the absence of DaRon Bland, who is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, who has a shoulder injury. Despite these setbacks, the defense remains a critical component of the team's overall strategy moving forward.
Rushing Challenges
One area of concern for the Cowboys is their rushing offense, which is averaging a mere 75.3 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, with CeeDee Lamb holding the longest rush of the season at just 12 yards. This lack of productivity on the ground underscores the need for improvement if the Cowboys hope to sustain their success.
Player Perspectives
Beyond the numbers, the voices within the locker room reflect a mix of accountability and optimism. DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for collective responsibility, urging his teammates to "be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and to "get out of playing little league football." Micah Parsons echoed this sentiment, stressing that the team doesn't need "any Supermans at all," but rather "11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys prepare for upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the focus will be on building consistency and overcoming both physical and strategic challenges. If the team can harness the flashes of brilliance displayed in recent games while addressing their ongoing issues, there's a path forward that could see them becoming a formidable contender as the season progresses.