The Cowboys’ 3–4 start has been characterized by a lot of blunders, injuries, and overall unappealing play.
Dak Prescott, who finished 2023 with nine picks overall, has turned into something of a turnover monster, throwing eight interceptions in seven games. The Cowboys’ offense lacks punch and consistency, and their defense is so bad that they have to contend with uphill battles almost every week.
As Dallas nears the halfway point of the season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is optimistic despite acknowledging their current situation, calling the start “a rougher go than I anticipated,” according to ESPN.
“It is rougher and I did not anticipate the challenges that we are having with this team,” Jones stated on Friday, “but I am reminded of teams that I have seen that have had a lot of success and put themselves in position to take a shot and they were 3-4.”
This Saturday, the 5-3 Falcons, a club that has tested opposing defenses for the past month with an average of almost 30 points per game, will present his team with a formidable litmus test. It is also crucial to begin a turnaround around 3-4 in the season.”Hell, I mean to me every game is (a must-win), but obviously, I mean 3-4, as I have said, a lot of season left, but the first start to be able to say that confidently is getting back even, especially, right, having a couple of home ones after that,” Prescott told ESPN.It is easy to pinpoint the causes of Dallas’ problems. Prescott’s offense, which is ranked third in passing, 22nd in scoring, and last in rushing yards per game, is terribly out of balance. For a large portion of 2024, he has been requested to carry the unit, which explains some of the disclosures for which he has been held accountable. In addition, he lacks weapons outside of CeeDee Lamb, with whom Prescott has occasionally had trouble getting along, and he is playing behind an offensive line that starts a third-year player at left guard and two rookies at center and left tackle.
“When I look at the whys that we are here, I really have a tough time getting past just sheer youth, sheer inexperience in the offensive line and I have a tough time getting past that turnover [ratio],” Jones stated. “When you look at that and understand what turnovers will do for you, I am telling you that the Cowboys have turned the ball over 13 times in seven games. We turned it over sixteen times last year instead of once. We turned it over thirteen times. The fact that we have won three games is a huge advantage.
Jones is correct. Additionally, he admitted that Prescott is generally playing better than the eight interceptions indicate, which is why he believes they could turn the ship around sooner rather than later.
In order to make such a change for the better, the Cowboys would need to inject some energy into their running game, as Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott have only combined for 395 yards and two touchdowns on 107 carries. The return of cornerback DaRon Bland, who has not played this season, and all-world defense Micah Parsons, who has not played since Week 4, would also help them.
“First of all, I have seen the players that are out on the field do what I am talking about doing that would address turnovers or do address having your communication in your offensive line, improving your running game, improving your protection,” Jones stated. “I have witnessed Dak create the kinds of
of plays that, for example, would result in a different turnover ratio. I have witnessed these people do it, so your question is spot on. I am aware of Mike McCarthy’s reputation as a great coach. He has one of the highest winning/losing percentages of any NFL coach. He is also a Super Bowl champion.
“So you know they can do it because you have seen it done in football. That provides you justification for saying what I say, which is that we can improve.”
Before the trade deadline on Tuesday, Dallas might make a deal. In order to accept a large contract, they now have $21 million in cap space available, but they still need to locate They are open for business, as Jones stated, but not only to add a line to the league’s transaction record. A trade must make sense if they are going to make one.
