While the Dallas Cowboys defeating the New York Giants in Week 2 may have seemed like a minor miracle, we can chalk it up to a brilliant performance from Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott with the game on the line matched only by an equally disastrous finish for Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
While the Cowboys walked away with a thrilling, 40-37 victory to even their record at 1-1-1, what can’t be overlooked is that before Wilson’s disastrous interception in overtime set up the game-winning field goal for the Cowboys … he absolutely torched the Dallas secondary by going 30-of-41 passing for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Giants receiver Malik Nabers had 9 receptions for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns while Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson had 8 receptions for 142 yards and 1 touchdown.
That led former NFL MVP quarterback Cam Newton to call out the Cowboys secondary — specifically NFL All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs — on ESPN’s First Take on September 15.
“Trevon Diggs, why are we always seeing you at the end of some really long, disastrous play for your team that’s a huge play for the other team?” Newton asked. “The Dallas pass defense needs to be addressed.”
Through the first 2 games of the regular season, Diggs has been one of the NFL’s worst cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. His 50.7 overall grade puts him at 109th out of 140 eligible players at his position and he leads the NFL in QB passer rating allowed (158.3).
Cowboys Dealing With Injuries In Secondary
Diggs, a 2-time Pro Bowler and 2021 NFL All-Pro, is coming off his second consecutive season with a season ending knee injury. He only played 2 games in 2023 before he tore his ACL and played 11 games in 2024 before he needed surgery to repair the same knee.
He came to training camp in 2025 facing questions over his work ethic focused squarely on the rehab process for his knee — questions from the very top of the franchise — but worked his way onto the 53-man roster to start the season.
Against the Giants, the Cowboys were without NFL All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland, who was out with a foot injury. Bland missed 10 games in 2024 with a foot injury but still received a 4-year, $90 million contract extension from the Cowboys on August 31.
Diggs has his own massive contract — he signed a 5-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys in July 2023.
Social Media Doesn’t Spare Diggs From Wrath
NFL observers and Cowboys fans tore Diggs to shreds over his sputtering performance against the Giants.
“According to PFF, Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs allowed four receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns in coverage,” The Fort Worth Star Telegram’s Nick Harris wrote on his official X account on September 15. “He also allowed a perfect 158.3 passer rating on throws targeting him. He finished with a 42.4 overall grade and 38.6 coverage grade.”
“Trevon Diggs is the worst CB in football,” X user Griffin Tuley wrote on September 14. “This dude sucks, get him off the team.”
“MALIK NABERS ABSOLUTELY OBLITERATES TREVON DIGGS DOWN THE SIDELINE,” X user Malik Nabers Szn wrote after one catch.
“Have so many thoughts from yesterday’s game,” X user Foots The King wrote on September 15. “I understand blaming (defensive coordinator) Matt Eberflus but watching the film … Players have to be better. Primarily Trevon Diggs.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former NFL MVP Calls Out ‘Disastrous’ Cowboys Pass Defense appeared first on Heavy Sports.