The Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season has been a tumultuous journey so far, characterized by both triumphant victories and disappointing defeats. The team kicked off the season with a series of challenging games, leading to a mixed record of 2-2.
Early setbacks were notable during consecutive home losses in the first three weeks. The Cowboys faced a crushing 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints and narrowly lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 28-25. These early missteps raised concerns about the team's performance and consistency.
Victory Against the Giants
However, the Cowboys found a glimmer of hope during their win against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football." The victory, secured with a score of 20-15, was a crucial morale booster for the team. Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' star quarterback, continued his remarkable record against the Giants, achieving his 13th consecutive win against them. This streak ties the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott's performance was stellar, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of his 21 passes. 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. These plays were instrumental in securing the victory.
Special Teams and Defensive Highlights
Brandon Aubrey contributed significantly with his field goals, scoring from 60 and 40 yards. Although Aubrey missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards, he remains an impressive 16 of 17 from such distances. Notably, Aubrey holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
The Cowboys' defense displayed a stark contrast in their performance across games. In Week 3, they allowed 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, a glaring weakness that led to criticism. However, they made a commendable improvement against the Giants, allowing only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a crucial role in stifling the Giants' run game.
Despite these defensive successes, injuries have plagued the Cowboys. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both sustained injuries during the second half against the Giants. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, while Parsons' X-rays returned negative, offering some relief. Parsons reassured fans with his remark, "I'll be good."
In a critical moment of the game, Amani Oruwariye intercepted a pass with just 15 seconds left, ensuring the Cowboys' victory and adding a dramatic finish to the match. However, the team continues to deal with setbacks as DaRon Bland is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson has a shoulder injury.
Offensive Struggles Continue
The Cowboys’ offense, despite some highlights, has been underperforming in the rushing department. With an average of 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst, further highlighting the need for improvement. Notably, CeeDee Lamb holds the Cowboys' longest rush of the season at merely 12 yards.
Frustrations on the field are evident. DeMarcus Lawrence did not mince words about the team's current situation, stating, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play" and urging his teammates to "Get out of playing little league football." Micah Parsons echoed the need for unity, saying, "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 look ahead to their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, hoping to build on their recent win and address the inconsistencies that have marred their season thus far. As the season progresses, Dallas's performance in these critical games will likely determine the direction of their 2024 campaign.