It was another rough outing for the Dallas Cowboys defense on Sunday, as the team gave up 34 points in a home loss to the Vikings and now sit on the verge of elimination from the playoffs. It’s the Cowboys’ second straight loss after winning three straight to claw their way back into postseason contention, including back-to-back home victories over the Eagles and Chiefs.
The loss has brought extra scrutiny on Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus, the former head coach of the Bears who is in his first season in Dallas. The Cowboys defense has ranked among the league’s worst, sitting at 29th in total defense, 32nd in pass defense, and 31st in scoring defense. Eberflus has been largely unwilling to change his defensive philosophy throughout the season, though he is limited by his personnel.
Trading away All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons before the season certainly didn’t help, as he was by far their best defensive player and a game-wrecker off the edge. But the fact is, even with Parsons this would be a weak defensive unit. And changes could be coming down the line.
Dallas Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer on Eberflus’ Future
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 14: Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer came to Eberflus’ defense after the game, taking the focus away from his embattled defensive coordinator and redirecting it to the entire team.
“Look, at the end of the day, I have a ton of confidence in ‘Flus,” Schottenheimer said during Monday’s press conference. “I think he’s a hell of a football coach, he’s accomplished a lot in this league. We all should talk ownership of where we are — this is not a offense, defense, special teams thing.”
“This is the fact that we’re — you know, our record is what it is,” Scottenheimer continued. “We’ve played well at times and then we haven’t played very well at times. I know what the stats say. The stats are not very good. That’s real, and I understand that. But at the end of the day, this is not just about ‘Flus, this is about me as the head coach, the offense and [QB Dak Prescott], and the defensive players, and special teams, and everybody.”
“So at the end of the day, our focus right now is, ‘Hey, let’s go finish strong. Let’s go play well this week.’ And again, we’ve got 17 guaranteed [opportunities] and we’re gonna maximize them all.”
The Dallas Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes are Hanging On by a Thread
The Cowboys’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday night — combined with the Eagles defeating the Raiders earlier in the day — means that Dallas has an incredibly narrow path to a playoff berth. They’ve been officially eliminated from wildcard contention. Now, the Cowboys need to win out and have Philadelphia lose out, which would net Dallas the division.
The Eagles play the Commanders twice sandwiched around a trip to Buffalo. If they win any of those games, Dallas is officially out. Meanwhile, the Cowboys still have to play the Chargers, Commanders, and Giants. All they can do for now is take care of business.
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