Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys defensive performance against the Baltimore Ravens started out as a continuation from the poor showing against the Saints. The Ravens running game overpowered the defense with 274 rushing yards, averaging over six yards per attempt. The Cowboys defense usually prides themselves in getting sacks and takeaways, but had none on Sunday against the Ravens offense. It is difficult to get sacks and turnovers when the other team is running the ball at will. The Ravens had their way on the ground in AT&T stadium, so much so that Lamar Jackson only had 15 passing attempts in the entire game.

Despite the poor performance, the Dallas Cowboys were able to bring the game within three points needing one stop from the defense. With two and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the defense got the Ravens to third and six, one more play needed to give the ball back to the offense. This was the time for the playmakers to step up and make a difference, to be game changers, and to right the wrongs throughout the game. Unfortunately, the Ravens converted with a nine-yard pass to Zay Flowers, who was given a lot of cushion by Trevon Diggs. Game over.

It was a bit uncharacteristic from the former All-Pro. Diggs is usually one that breaks up those types of plays. After the game, he addressed the media and took full responsibility. He understands that he needs to step up in these types of game defining moments.

He also took to social media to share the message and apologize to Cowboys Nation.

Micah Parsons had another quiet showing on Sunday. This was his second game in a row where his sack stat line was zero. For someone who has had DPOY aspirations, performances like these will not cut it. He knows it too. Parsons was visibly frustrated on the sidelines throughout the game. After the game, he confirmed that the issues from last week carried over into this game. Everyone on the defense is trying to do too much to make the big play. The Cowboys defense needs to be more disciplined and trust that each player is going to do their job.

DeMarcus Lawrence also shared that sentiment with the media in the locker room saying that it is little things that the defense needs to focus on to improve and that the only thing holding them back is themselves. The defense needs to “get out of playing Little League football and get back to playing pro football”.

While there is a lot of blame to go around on the defense, Dak Prescott and the offense did not perform up to their expectations either. For the first three quarters the offense for the Cowboys made critical mistakes that could have changed the course of the game. In the post-game press conference, Prescott called on the offense to help out the defense to play more complementary football. His expectations for this offense is to score 30 points when the defense is able to hold the opposing team to 28.

Even though Prescott and the offense have their own issues to solve, this defense needs to improve if the Cowboys have any shot at going anywhere this season. They need to figure it out fast. This week is a short week where the Cowboys are headed to New York on Thursday to face the Giants, a team that just beat up on the Browns. This game isn’t a given. Then they will face the 3-0 Steelers in Pittsburgh before heading into a five-game stretch of really tough teams that include the Lions, 49ers, Falcons, Eagles and Texans. If the Cowboys defense is unable right this ship, this season could be sinking quickly.