The Dallas Cowboys have faced a tumultuous start to their 2024 NFL season, marked by an initial series of setbacks and a recent crucial victory. With a record standing at 2-2, the Cowboys' journey thus far has been anything but predictable.
Early Season Struggles
The Cowboys opened the season with back-to-back home losses that cast early doubts on their campaign. A crushing 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 followed by a narrow 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens left both fans and analysts questioning the team's form and cohesion. Particularly alarming was the defense's performance in these initial games, with the unit surrendering 274 rushing yards to the Ravens, exposing significant vulnerabilities.
Redemption Against the Giants
However, the tide began to turn during a "Thursday Night Football" encounter with the New York Giants. Quarterback Dak Prescott, continuing his personal dominance over the Giants, led the team to a 20-15 victory. This win marked Prescott’s 13th consecutive victory against the Giants, tying him for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott's performance was instrumental, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of 21 passes, showcasing his precision and leadership. The quarterback 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, igniting the offense.
Aubrey Shines and Stumbles
Kicker Brandon Aubrey contributed significantly with field goals from 60 and 40 yards, although his miss on a 51-yard attempt ended a flawless streak from 50-plus yards. Despite this miss, Aubrey's record stands impressive, having made 16 of 17 field goals from distances of 50 or more yards, holding the longest consecutive streak in NFL history for such attempts.
Defensive Resurgence
Defensively, the Cowboys showed marked improvement against the Giants, allowing just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role in bottling up the Giants' run game, a critical factor in the team's victory. However, the game wasn't without its costs. Key defensive players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence sustained injuries. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, but he remained resolute, urging his teammates to "be credible, f---ing accountable every single play" and to "get out of playing little league football." Parsons, whose X-ray results were fortunately negative, remains optimistic about his return, asserting, "I'll be good."
Offensive Woes and Injuries
The Cowboys' offensive struggles, particularly in the rushing department, have been glaring. Averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, the team ranks third-worst in the league. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry also places them in the bottom tier, highlighting a critical area for improvement. Notably, the longest rush of the season for the team remains a mere 12 yards by CeeDee Lamb, underscoring the need for more effective ground play.
In addition to these challenges, the team has been dealing with a slew of injuries. Defensive back Amani Oruwariye's pivotal interception with 15 seconds left against the Giants was the highlight of a battered secondary, which is also coping with DaRon Bland's stress fracture and Caelen Carson's shoulder injury.
Looking Forward
As the Cowboys prepare for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the team's focus is clear. Parsons emphasized the need for 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." The Cowboys must harness this sense of collective effort to overcome their early season challenges and capitalize on their recent momentum.
With critical corrections and a unified approach, the Dallas Cowboys aim to stabilize their season and reclaim their standing as a formidable force in the NFL.