The Dallas Cowboys have kicked off their 2024 season with a mixture of hopeful victories and challenging defeats, resulting in a 2-2 record. This roller-coaster start saw the team first struggle on home turf but then bounce back with resilience on prime-time television.
Early Struggles on Home Turf
The Cowboys faced back-to-back home defeats during the initial weeks of the season. They were overwhelmed by the New Orleans Saints with a staggering 44-19 loss and subsequently edged out by the Baltimore Ravens, who secured a narrow 28-25 victory. The defense, in particular, grappled to contain the opposition, allowing an alarming 274 rushing yards against the Ravens.
Thursday Night Triumph
However, the tides turned during a "Thursday Night Football" showdown against the New York Giants. The Cowboys emerged victorious with a final score of 20-15, thanks notably to Dak Prescott’s impeccable performance. Prescott continued to dominate the Giants, notching his 13th consecutive win against them, tying the second-longest quarterback winning streak versus a single opponent since at least 1950. He completed 22 of his 21 passes for 221 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to running back Rico Dowdle and a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Field goals were another highlight, with kicker Brandon Aubrey making impressive field goals from 60 and 40 yards. Despite missing a 51-yard attempt, Aubrey remains a force to reckon with, holding the longest consecutive streak of field goals from 50 or more yards in NFL history, currently boasting 16 successful attempts out of 17.
Defensive Prowess Against the Giants
The Cowboys’ defense showcased a significant turnaround against the Giants, stifling their run game by allowing just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was particularly instrumental in this achievement. Despite injuries, including Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the defensive unit held their ground. Lawrence's foot injury sidelined him after the third quarter, while Parsons dodged a more serious issue with negative X-ray results. Parsons reassured fans saying, "I'll be good." A crucial interception by Amani Oruwariye with 15 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Cowboys.
Injuries Impacting the Roster
However, the injury list for the Cowboys has grown. Defensive backbone DaRon Bland is currently out with a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson is nursing a shoulder injury. Despite these setbacks, the team remains focused on improving their overall performance.
Offensive Challenges
Offensively, the Cowboys are grappling with their running game. Averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank third-worst in the NFL for this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league, and the longest rush by any player this season was a mere 12 yards by CeeDee Lamb. This has prompted some introspection within the team. DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for accountability, saying, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and pushed for more commitment by urging, "Get out of playing little league football."
Micah Parsons also highlighted the need for synchronized team effort, stating, "We don’t need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it’s just not in unison."
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys are gearing up for their upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. These games will be crucial for the team as they strive to solidify their standing in the league and turn the early inconsistencies of their season into a strong and cohesive campaign.