The Dallas Cowboys have found themselves on a tumultuous journey through the early stages of the 2024 NFL season. With a record of 2-2, the Cowboys have endured both thrilling victories and disheartening defeats, their performance seemingly as unpredictable as the Texas weather.
At the onset of their campaign, the Cowboys faced back-to-back home losses against the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens. A particularly tough defeat, the Saints game ended 44-19, showing cracks in the Cowboys’ defensive armor. The Ravens followed suit with a close 28-25 win over Dallas, raising questions about the team's resilience against high-caliber opponents.
However, redemption was in the air as the Cowboys took on the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." A 20-15 victory illuminated the star power quarterback Dak Prescott brings to the lineup. With this win, Prescott clinched his 13th consecutive triumph against the Giants, tying the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott, delivering an impressive performance, threw for 221 yards, completing 22 of his 21 passes. His connection with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb were pivotal moments that showcased his precision and leadership on the field.
Special teams also had their moment in the spotlight as kicker Brandon Aubrey successfully made field goals from 60 and 40 yards, though he missed a 51-yard attempt, halting his perfect streak from beyond 50 yards. Despite this, Aubrey remains a reliable figure with a striking 16 out of 17 success rate from 50-plus yards and holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive strategies were put to the test significantly in their matchups. In Week 3, the Cowboys' defense allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they bounced back admirably, as the defense tightened the reins against the Giants, permitting only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played an instrumental role in stifling the Giants' run game.
Injuries have also taken a toll on the Cowboys, with key players like defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and linebacker Micah Parsons feeling the impact. Lawrence, whose foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, surely left a void on the field. Post-game comments from Lawrence underlined his frustration and determination: "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play. Get out of playing little league football." On the other hand, Parsons, who breathed a collective sigh of relief among fans with negative X-ray results, remained hopeful about his return, stating, "I'll be good."
The secondary has its own share of worries. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye intercepted a crucial pass with just 15 seconds left, securing the victory against the Giants. Still, the Cowboys are grappling with injuries, including those to DaRon Bland, suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, dealing with a shoulder injury.
Offensively, the Cowboys face challenges in their ground game. Averaging 75.3 rushing yards per game — ranking third-worst in the NFL — and with a mere 3.5 yards per carry, the team needs to find more reliable options on the field. Remarkably, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb holds the Cowboys' longest rush of the season at just 12 yards, reflecting their struggles in establishing a dominant rushing attack.
The road ahead offers little in terms of respite, with upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. With a mixture of standout individual performances and concerning vulnerabilities, the Cowboys must strive for consistency and unity — aspects that Parsons emphasized: "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' season hangs in a delicate balance. They have shown flashes of brilliance and remarkable resilience, but the question remains whether they can coalesce as a united force to navigate the challenges of the NFL schedule. Only time will tell if the Cowboys can reach the heights their talent and potential suggest.