The Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season has already been a whirlwind, defined by significant victories and challenging defeats. The first three weeks of play saw the team facing consecutive home losses, including a tough 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints and a close 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys, however, found a reprieve in a narrow 20-15 win against the New York Giants during "Thursday Night Football."
The Cowboys now stand at a 2-2 record, with quarterback Dak Prescott achieving his 13th consecutive victory against the Giants. Remarkably, this ties him for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950. In the game against the Giants, Prescott was efficient, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of his 21 passes—not a typo, but an indication of his near-perfect performance.
Offensive Highlights
Prescott's prowess was on full display as he connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Despite the ups and downs of the season, Prescott's connection with his receivers has been a consistent highlight.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey also showcased his talent, making field goals from 60 and 40 yards. Aubrey, however, had his first miss from 50-plus yards with a 51-yard attempt, ending his otherwise perfect streak. He remains an impressive 16 of 17 from such distances, holding the NFL record for the longest consecutive streak of 50-plus yard field goals.
Defensive Dynamics
While the offense has had its moments, the Cowboys' defense has seen mixed results. In Week 3, the defense allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, a performance that drew significant scrutiny. However, the unit bounced back dramatically, permitting only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries in their game against the Giants. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a key role in stifling the Giants' run game, highlighting the unit's potential when firing on all cylinders.
Yet, the defensive efforts came at a cost. Star players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were both injured during the second half of the Giants game. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, and although Parsons' X-ray results came back negative, his health remains a crucial concern. Despite these setbacks, cornerback Amani Oruwariye's last-minute interception secured the Cowboys' victory. Still, the defense faces challenges with DaRon Bland suffering from a stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury.
Struggles in the Run Game
Despite the bright moments, the Cowboys' offense has struggled on the ground, averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game—the third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry ranks fourth-worst in the league, with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb astonishingly holding the team's longest rush of the season at just 12 yards. This underlines a significant area where improvement is needed for the Cowboys to climb the ranks.
Voices from the Locker Room
In the locker room, the players are acutely aware of the challenges ahead. Micah Parsons, despite his injury scare, remains optimistic, stating, "I'll be good." His leadership is evident as he calls for unity, emphasizing, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
DeMarcus Lawrence echoed similar sentiments, demanding accountability and focus from his teammates. "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," Lawrence urged. "Get out of playing little league football."
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face tough matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. These games will be critical tests for a team seeking to find consistency amid a tumultuous start. With key players battling injuries and others stepping up, the Cowboys’ season remains an unpredictable journey, promising both challenges and opportunities.