The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on a tumultuous journey through the early stages of their 2024 season, balancing pivotal victories with disheartening losses. With a mixed bag of highs and lows, their performance in the first four weeks has kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Early Season Setbacks
The Cowboys entered the season with high hopes but faced immediate setbacks on their home turf. Their first three weeks were marred by two consecutive home defeats. The New Orleans Saints delivered a crushing blow with a 44-19 victory, followed by the Baltimore Ravens edging them out in a 28-25 thriller. These losses put immense pressure on the team, casting doubts on their defensive solidity and offensive effectiveness.
Bouncing Back Against the Giants
Amidst the turmoil, the Cowboys found redemption on "Thursday Night Football" against the New York Giants. The 20-15 victory was not just another win; it was a statement. With this success, the Cowboys evened their record at 2-2. A highlight of the match was Dak Prescott's performance, achieving his 13th consecutive victory against the Giants. This remarkable streak ties him for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback over a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott displayed precision, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of his 21 passes. His key plays included connecting with Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to CeeDee Lamb. Brandon Aubrey also made a significant contribution with field goals from 60 and 40 yards, though he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards. Nonetheless, with an impressive 16 of 17 record from 50-plus yards distances, Aubrey holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Resurgence
The Cowboys' defense showed immense improvement against the Giants, a critical turnaround from the 274 rushing yards they allowed against the Ravens. In stark contrast, they restricted the Giants to a mere 26 rushing yards on 24 carries, with defensive tackle Mazi Smith playing a pivotal role in stifling the opposition's run game.
However, the game wasn’t without its casualties. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both exited during the second half due to injuries. Lawrence, dealing with a foot injury, was sidelined after the third quarter, while Parsons’ X-ray results were fortunately negative. Despite the injuries, Parsons remained optimistic, stating, "I'll be good." This sentiment was echoed by DeMarcus Lawrence, who urged his teammates to "be credible, f---ing accountable every single play" and cautioned against "playing little league football."
Struggles in the Rushing Game
While the defensive unit gained some traction, the Cowboys' offense has been lagging, especially in the rushing department. Averaging just 75.3 yards per game, Dallas holds the third-worst rushing record in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league, with CeeDee Lamb achieving the longest rush of the season at just 12 yards. This underscores a glaring issue that the team must address moving forward.
Challenges Ahead
As the Cowboys prepare for their upcoming clashes against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, they must contend with numerous injuries. Amani Oruwariye's crucial interception with 15 seconds left against the Giants ensured their victory, but the team faces the challenge of shoring up their roster. DaRon Bland is battling a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Reflecting on the overall team dynamic, Micah Parsons emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." This sentiment encapsulates the Cowboys' current struggle and what they need to overcome to transform their roller-coaster start into a consistent and successful season.
The weeks ahead will undoubtedly test the Cowboys' resilience and ability to adapt. With key players committed to rallying and refining their approach, Dallas aims to navigate its way through adversity and climb the ranks in the fiercely competitive NFL landscape.