The Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, marked by a mix of impressive victories and disheartening defeats. With a current record of 2-2, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, yet consistent performance remains elusive.
Early Season Struggles at Home
The Cowboys faced a harsh start on their home turf, suffering consecutive losses in the first three weeks. The New Orleans Saints handed them a hefty 44-19 defeat, followed by a nail-biting 28-25 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. These early setbacks set an uneasy tone for the team's season and called for immediate rectifications.
Redemption Against the Giants
In a much-needed turnaround, the Cowboys triumphed over the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football" with a 20-15 victory. This victory was particularly sweet for quarterback Dak Prescott, who secured his 13th consecutive win against the Giants, tying the second-longest win streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950. Prescott threw for 221 yards, completing an impressive 22 of his 21 passes. His precision passing included a 15-yard touchdown to running back Rico Dowdle and an electrifying 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Aubrey’s Kicking Prowess
Kicker Brandon Aubrey showcased his elite skill set by nailing field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, his perfect streak from 50-plus yards ended as he missed a 51-yard attempt, placing him at 16 of 17 from that distance. Despite the miss, Aubrey holds the record for the longest consecutive streak of field goals from 50 or more yards in NFL history, underscoring his critical role in the Cowboys’ special teams.
Defensive Woes and Wins
Defensively, the Cowboys have displayed mixed performances. In Week 3, the defense surrendered 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, a glaring issue that couldn't be ignored. Yet, their response was resounding as they limited the Giants to a mere 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was pivotal in stifling the Giants’ run game, demonstrating that the team is capable of tightening its defensive screws when necessary.
The defensive effort was marred by injuries as star players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the game in the second half. Lawrence’s foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, while Parsons received a potentially concerning X-ray, though he later reassured fans and teammates, stating, "I'll be good." Despite these injuries, cornerback Amani Oruwariye’s interception with 15 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the defense continues to deal with other injuries as DaRon Bland is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson is nursing a shoulder injury.
Offensive Consistency Needed
The Cowboys' offense, while explosive at times, has struggled with consistency, particularly in the ground game. Averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank third-worst in the league, and their average of 3.5 yards per carry places them fourth-worst. Adding to the concerns, the team's longest rush of the season so far is a modest 12-yard run by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Addressing these issues will be crucial for maintaining momentum as the season progresses.
Leadership Voices
Voices of leadership within the team have been vocal about the need for accountability and unity. DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized this sentiment, imploring his teammates to “be credible, f---ing accountable every single play,” and urged them to “get out of playing little league football.” Parsons echoed this call for teamwork, remarking, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." These statements highlight the internal drive to elevate their play and function cohesively as a unit.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Cowboys have a challenging schedule with upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. As the team addresses its offensive and defensive inconsistencies, the focus will remain on translating flashes of brilliance into sustained performance. With leaders like Prescott and Parsons steering the ship, and key contributors like Lawrence and Smith stepping up, the Cowboys aim to navigate these challenges and secure more victories in the weeks to come.