The Dallas Cowboys have experienced a roller-coaster beginning to their 2024 season, characterized by pivotal wins and disheartening defeats. The team found itself on the losing end early, enduring consecutive home defeats in the season's opening weeks. They fell to the New Orleans Saints with a lopsided 44-19 score, followed by a close 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
However, the Cowboys managed to turn their fortune around with a critical win against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," securing a 20-15 victory. This triumph brought their season record to 2-2. A highlight of this victory was quarterback Dak Prescott, who has now clinched his 13th consecutive win against the Giants. This remarkable streak ties him for the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Dak Prescott's Performance
Prescott's performance against the Giants was commendable, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of 21 passes. He connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered an impressive 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Aubrey's Kicking Drama
Kicker Brandon Aubrey also had notable contributions, making significant field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, his near-perfect record took a hit when he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his flawless streak from 50-plus yards. Despite this setback, Aubrey remains a formidable force, having successfully made 16 of 17 attempts from 50 or more yards. He now holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals from such distances in NFL history.
Defensive Highlights and Challenges
Defensively, the Cowboys showed both strengths and vulnerabilities. In Week 3, they allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they made a remarkable comeback, limiting the Giants to just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries in their latest game. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role in neutralizing the Giants' run game.
The defense, however, faced its share of setbacks with injuries to key players. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were both injured during the second half against the Giants. Lawrence suffered a foot injury, sidelining him after the third quarter. On the other hand, Parsons received negative X-ray results, providing a glimpse of relief for the team. In a critical moment, Amani Oruwariye intercepted a pass with 15 seconds remaining to secure the victory for the Cowboys.
Despite their defensive efforts, the team is dealing with further injuries. DaRon Bland is out with a stress fracture in his foot, while Caelen Carson is nursing a shoulder injury.
Offensive Struggles on the Rushing Front
The Cowboys' offense has faced challenges in the rushing department, averaging only 75.3 yards per game, ranking third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is also the fourth-worst in the league. CeeDee Lamb holds the team's longest rush of the season at just 12 yards, highlighting the ground game's struggle for explosive plays.
Quotes and Insights
Players have expressed their commitment to improving their performance. “I’ll be good,” Micah Parsons assured, indicating his readiness to bounce back. DeMarcus Lawrence’s colorful expressions reflected a sense of urgency and accountability. "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," he emphasized, adding, "Get out of playing little league football."
Parsons also stressed the importance of teamwork, saying, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
Upcoming Challenges
As the season progresses, the Cowboys face tough matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. With key players recovering from injuries and a need for better cohesion, the team will need to harness its strengths and address its weaknesses to navigate the challenging road ahead.