The Dallas Cowboys have experienced a turbulent start to their 2024 season, punctuated by both significant victories and disheartening losses.
Early Setbacks
Opening the season on shaky ground, the Cowboys faced consecutive home defeats during the first three weeks. Their matches against the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens ended with scores of 44-19 and 28-25, respectively, casting a shadow over their initial campaign. However, the team showed resilience in their fight to bounce back.
Turning Point
In a pivotal "Thursday Night Football" face-off, the Cowboys clinched a tight win against the New York Giants with a 20-15 score. Notably, this victory maintained quarterback Dak Prescott’s impressive record against the Giants, marking his 13th consecutive win against the team. This winning streak ties for the second-longest by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott’s performance was instrumental, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of his 21 passes. Key plays included a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Rico Dowdle and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Aubrey’s Kick-Driven Performance
Kicker Brandon Aubrey also played a crucial role, successfully scoring field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, his streak of consecutive field goals from 50-plus yards came to an end when he missed a 51-yard attempt. Despite this, Aubrey remains a formidable presence, hitting 16 out of 17 from such distances, the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Dynamics
The defense has shown fluctuating form, particularly highlighted during Week 3 when they allowed 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens. A stark contrast was observed in their match against the Giants, where the defense permitted only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith’s role was pivotal in containing the Giants' running game.
However, defensive stalwarts Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence encountered injuries during the second half of the game. Lawrence was sidelined after the third quarter due to a foot injury, while Parsons’ X-ray results came back negative, providing some relief to fans and the team.
Nevertheless, the injury woes continued with cornerback Amani Oruwariye intercepting a pass to ensure the team's victory, while DaRon Bland deals with a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson faces a shoulder injury.
Offensive Struggles and Analysis
The offensive unit’s performance, particularly in rushing, has been underwhelming. Averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, the Cowboys rank third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is also the fourth-worst in the league. Surprisingly, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb holds the longest rush of the season for the team at a mere 12 yards, underscoring the struggles of the running game.
Looking Ahead and Team Sentiments
As the Cowboys prepare for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the team remains introspective. Micah Parsons commented on their defensive cohesion, stating, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." Meanwhile, DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for accountability, asserting, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play."
Lawrence also had a straightforward message for the team: "Get out of playing little league football."
Despite the mixed results and ongoing challenges, the Dallas Cowboys remain focused and determined to build consistency. Their ability to respond and adapt will be critical in navigating the rest of the season.
Micah Parsons, reflecting on his situation, assured fans, "I'll be good." This optimism, coupled with a strong sense of accountability among the team, will be vital as the Cowboys aim to find their stride and make a significant impact in the 2024 season.