The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on a tumultuous journey through the initial stretch of their 2024 season, characterized by both memorable victories and disheartening defeats. Their record now stands at an even 2-2, highlighting the inconsistencies that have punctuated their early performances.
Early Season Struggles
In the first three weeks, the Cowboys faced back-to-back home losses, falling to the New Orleans Saints with a lopsided 44-19 score, and narrowly succumbing to the Baltimore Ravens, 28-25. These defeats immediately cast a shadow over the team's aspirations, raising questions about their capability to turn the season around.
Turning Point Against the Giants
Their fortunes took a positive turn on "Thursday Night Football" against the New York Giants. The Cowboys secured a 20-15 victory, driven by a solid performance from quarterback Dak Prescott, who extended his remarkable winning streak against the Giants to 13 consecutive games. This streak ties him for the second-longest winning run by a quarterback against a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott was efficient, completing 22 of his 21 passes for 221 yards. His precise throws included a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Rico Dowdle and a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Reflecting on the team's unity, Prescott's leadership on the field was evident.
Special Teams and Defensive Highlights
Brandon Aubrey delivered crucial points with field goals from 60 and 40 yards, although he missed a 51-yard attempt, breaking his flawless streak from 50-plus yards. Aubrey remains an impressive 16 of 17 from long distances and holds the record for the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
In stark contrast to their earlier defensive struggles, particularly the 274 rushing yards conceded against the Ravens, the Cowboys' defense displayed resilience against the Giants, holding them to a mere 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role, and Micah Parsons, despite suffering an injury later deemed non-serious, asserted confidence in his recovery by stating, "I'll be good."
DeMarcus Lawrence, who endured a foot injury that sidelined him after the third quarter, voiced a call to accountability among his teammates. “Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," Lawrence emphasized. His passionate plea was reinforced with, "Get out of playing little league football."
Injuries and Roster Challenges
While injuries to key players remain a concern, with DaRon Bland suffering from a stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury, the team's depth was illustrated by Amani Oruwariye’s clutch interception, ensuring victory in the final moments against the Giants.
Offensive Woes
Despite the win, the Cowboys still wrestle with underwhelming offensive statistics. They are averaging 75.3 rushing yards per game, placing them third-worst in the NFL, with a 3.5 yards per carry average that ranks as the fourth-worst. The longest rush of the season for the Cowboys is a modest 12 yards by CeeDee Lamb, underlining the challenges faced by their rushing attack.
Future Contests
As the Cowboys gear up for their impending matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the emphasis on cohesion and consistency will be paramount. Parsons highlighted the essence of teamwork, remarking, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." His words resonate deeply as the Cowboys aim to find the right balance to propel their season forward.
The road ahead is laden with both obstacles and opportunities. If the Cowboys can harness their potential while mitigating their inconsistencies, they could well steer their season back on a winning track. The stories of Prescott's leadership, Aubrey's remarkable kicking, and the defense's potential are threads in a larger narrative yet to be fully written.