The Dallas Cowboys have encountered a tumultuous start to their 2024 season, balancing significant wins with difficult losses. Their current record, an even 2-2, paints a picture of a team seeking consistency amid fluctuating fortunes.
A Rocky Opening
The season kicked off with consecutive home defeats—a crushing 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints and a narrowly contested 28-25 setback against the Baltimore Ravens. These early games revealed vulnerabilities in the Cowboys' defense, highlighted by a disconcerting 274 rushing yards conceded to the Ravens in Week 3.
A Resilient Bounce Back
However, the Cowboys showed their resilience with a crucial 20-15 victory against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." This win continued Dak Prescott's remarkable performance against the Giants, marking his 13th consecutive victory over them. This streak ties the second-longest winning run by a quarterback against a single team since at least 1950.
Prescott was instrumental in the win, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 out of his 21 passes. He was particularly effective connecting with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivering a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Kicking Consistency
Kicker Brandon Aubrey played a vital role, successfully making field goals from 60 and 40 yards. Although he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards, Aubrey remains an asset, boasting a 16 of 17 success rate from those distances. He continues to hold the longest consecutive streak of field goals from 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Struggles and Successes
While the defense struggled against the Ravens, they markedly improved against the Giants, allowing only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was pivotal in stifling the Giants' run game, showcasing the defense's potential when firing on all cylinders.
Despite these positives, injuries have plagued the defense. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both sustained injuries during the second half against the Giants. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, while Parsons received good news with negative X-ray results, saying confidently, "I'll be good." Nevertheless, other defensive players, such as DaRon Bland, who is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, who has a shoulder injury, add to the Cowboys' injury concerns.
A highlight in the Giants' game was Amani Oruwariye's crucial interception with just 15 seconds left, ensuring the Cowboys' victory.
Offensive Woes
Offensively, the Cowboys have been struggling with their ground game. Averaging only 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is also fourth-worst in the league. The longest rush of the season for the Cowboys stands merely at 12 yards, achieved by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, indicating the concerning absence of a dynamic rushing attack.
Team leaders have voiced their frustration. DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for a collective effort, stating, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." He also urged his teammates to "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and to "Get out of playing little league football."
Upcoming Challenges
As the Cowboys brace for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, they face the challenge of finding consistency and mitigating injuries. The ability of this storied franchise to turn their season around hinges on the health and cohesion of both their offense and defense.
With key players like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence aiming for swift recoveries and a united team front, the Cowboys have the potential to climb out of their early-season slump and make a significant impact as the season progresses. As Parsons succinctly put it, "I'll be good," reflecting the determination needed throughout the roster to steer the Cowboys towards their ambitious goals.