To start the season, the Dallas Cowboys‘ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL. They allowed 30 points to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, perhaps the worst showing they had on that side of the football this season.Â
The Panthers are a decent team, but giving up 183 rushing yards to former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is inexcusable, despite him having an excellent two weeks.
As the Cowboys continue to find ways to improve defensively, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is the man in charge of trying to fix things. According to Eberflus, he’s not happy with how the defense has looked, and it’s not up to the standards of what the Cowboys have set in the past.
âThought a couple weeks ago we took a step forward versus the Jets,â Eberflus said, per Dallas News. âLast week, obviously, disappointed in that performance.
âItâs not to our standard how we played last week.â
Cowboys Are In a Tough Spot Defensively
Eberflus has a tough job, as the Dallas Cowboys don’t exactly have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the football.Â
In his defense, the unit was expected to be below average entering the season. Still, after his failed stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears, he continues to face criticism, suggesting he might not be a great coach.
Brian Schottenheimer wanted to quiet those takes, saying that he’s a great coach,
âIâve been Matt,â coach Schottenheimer said, per the team. âIâve been a coordinator. And Iâve been where people are calling you out and saying you donât know how to coach and, âMan, this guy is the worst coach in history.â
âMatt Eberflus is a damn good football coach. We have to perform better. But Iâve been him, so part of me being in (the defensive meeting room) is to help as an asset, to tell him, âI believe in him. I understand what heâs going through.â It sucks. Itâs no fun. Weâre gonna ride this thing out. And weâll play better. We really will.â
Should the Cowboys Make Changes?
Regarding what potential changes the Dallas Cowboys can make, nothing is off the table, according to Eberflus.
âWhen your performance has been inconsistent or not to the standard, you certainly look at everything,â Eberflus said about the defense. âYou try to find solutions. Thatâs the coachâs job to get that done. Nothing is off the table.â
Some have wondered if the Cowboys will go out and make a move for a defensive player over the next few weeks before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, but Eberflus stayed consistent in his words, stating that there are changes in the building to make.Â
The next three weeks will show if that happens, but the Cowboys canât afford to let this defense continue performing this poorly.
âWe know the solutions are in the room,â Eberflus said. âThereâs not a magic pill there. We just have to make sure we do a great job of working together and being together and making sure the plan is tight and effective. Thatâs all of us working together.â
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