As the Dallas Cowboys venture into their 2024 season, their journey has been anything but smooth, swinging between euphoric victories and crushing defeats. Following consecutive home losses in the opening weeks—to the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens—the team managed to pinpoint critical wins that might set the tone for the upcoming months.
Early Struggles and Recovery
The Cowboys started their campaign on shaky ground. In the first three weeks, they succumbed to a bruising 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints and a narrow 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. These back-to-back setbacks raised questions about the team's defensive cohesion and offensive production.
However, redemption came swiftly against the New York Giants during a "Thursday Night Football" showdown. The Cowboys secured a 20-15 victory, enhancing their record to an even 2-2. This victory was particularly significant for quarterback Dak Prescott, marking his 13th consecutive triumph over the Giants. This streak ties Prescott for the second-longest winning run by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott’s Performance and Offensive Highlights
Prescott showcased his precision, completing 22 of his 21 passes for 221 yards. He connected with running back Rico Dowdle on a 15-yard touchdown pass and delivered an electrifying 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Brandon Aubrey also played a pivotal role, making field goals from 60 and 40 yards, although he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards. Nevertheless, Aubrey remains 16 of 17 from such distances, holding the record for the longest consecutive streak of 50-plus-yard field goals in NFL history.
Defensive Resilience and Setbacks
The Cowboys' defense has displayed flashes of brilliance and areas of concern. Week 3 saw them allow a staggering 274 rushing yards to the Ravens. However, they tightened up significantly against the Giants, conceding just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was instrumental in this turnaround, anchoring the defensive line with tenacity and skill.
Despite these improvements, the defense faced another challenge. Both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence exited the game due to injuries. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, whereas Parsons' X-ray results turned out negative, suggesting a quicker return to action. As Parsons succinctly put it, "I'll be good." Cornerback Amani Oruwariye clinched the win by intercepting a pass with just 15 seconds left on the clock, ensuring the Cowboys' victory. Yet, the injuries continue to pile up with DaRon Bland suffering from a stress fracture and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury.
A Struggling Ground Game
The Cowboys' ground attack has been one of their primary concerns this season. Averaging a mere 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank as the third-worst in the NFL. Their 3.5 yards per carry statistic isn’t much better, placing them fourth-worst in this category. Surprisingly, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's 12-yard rush remains the longest of the season for the team, highlighting their struggles in establishing an effective run game.
As DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized, accountability on every single play is paramount. "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," he urged, reflecting the team's need for consistent effort and focus. He added, "Get out of playing little league football," signaling the urgency for a more professional and cohesive performance.
Micah Parsons, always the vocal leader, reinforced the message 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," he stated, underscoring the importance of teamwork over individual heroics.
Looking Forward
With upcoming battles against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys will need to harness all lessons learned from these early-season experiences. The resilience shown against the Giants must be mirrored, and the team’s offensive and defensive units need to gel better. As the season progresses, the Cowboys’ ability to adapt and overcome these initial hurdles will be quintessential in defining their 2024 campaign.