The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on a tumultuous journey at the start of their 2024 season, punctuated by a blend of pivotal victories and heartbreaking losses. Their current standing, a 2-2 record, only tells part of the story.
Early Struggles and Redemption
Opening the season with consecutive home losses had fans and analysts raising eyebrows. The Cowboys suffered a 44-19 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, followed by a tighter but still painful loss to the Baltimore Ravens, ending at 28-25. These early setbacks placed immense pressure on the team, demanding a swift and decisive response.
The Cowboys found a glimmer of hope during their "Thursday Night Football" clash against the New York Giants, securing a 20-15 victory. This win not only balanced their record but also highlighted Dak Prescott's dominance over the Giants, marking his 13th consecutive win against the team. This streak ties the record for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott's Performance and Offensive Highlights
Dak Prescott's leadership shone brightly in this victory, as he threw for 221 yards, completing an impressive 22 of his 21 passes—a seemingly impossible feat. He showcased his connection with key players, notably linking with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivering a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Brandon Aubrey also played a crucial role, nailing field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, his perfect streak from distances over 50 yards came to a halt with a missed 51-yard attempt. Despite this, Aubrey's overall performance remains exceptional, having converted 16 of 17 attempts from 50-plus yards, the longest consecutive streak in NFL history.
Defensive Shifts and Injuries
Defensively, the Cowboys presented a stark contrast between their performances in Weeks 3 and 4. After conceding a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, the defense tightened its grip, allowing only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries against the Giants. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was instrumental in this turnaround, stifling the Giants' running game effectively.
Despite the defensive prowess, the Cowboys faced setbacks with injuries to key players. Both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were injured during the second half against the Giants. Lawrence, who exited after the third quarter due to a foot injury, expressed his frustration, exhorting his teammates to "be credible, f---ing accountable every single play" and to "get out of playing little league football." Parsons, on the other hand, reassured fans with his optimism, saying, "I'll be good," after his X-ray results came back negative.
Further complicating matters, Amani Oruwariye's late-game interception was a critical moment, ensuring the Cowboys' victory, while the team grapples with additional injuries to DaRon Bland, who is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, who has a shoulder injury.
Challenges in the Rushing Game
Offensively, the Cowboys have struggled in the rushing department, averaging only 75.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry places them in the fourth-worst position in the league. Notably, CeeDee Lamb's 12-yard rush stands as the longest rush for the Cowboys this season, highlighting their challenges in establishing a dominant ground game.
Looking Forward
As the Cowboys prepare for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the team aims to harness the lessons learned from their early-season experiences. Micah Parsons underscores this sentiment, emphasizing, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
The road ahead for the Cowboys is laden with challenges, but their recent victory and the resilience shown by their key players offer a glimmer of hope. As they strive for consistency and aim to overcome their early missteps, the team's focus remains on playing cohesively and elevating their performance across all facets of the game.