Offense Among NFL Leaders
Dallas averages 29.1 points per game, fifth best in the NFL, and 396.9 total yards per game, the highest in the league. The production has not translated into consistent wins because the defense has allowed 30 points per game, ranking thirty-first. The unit also gives up nearly 375 yards per game, placing twenty-ninth. That imbalance defines why the Cowboys’ scoring margin remains negative despite leading the league in total offense.
Four Defensive Coordinators in Four Years
Matt Eberflus is the team’s fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons. The Cowboys Report called the trend unsustainable, arguing that continuity is less valuable than competency. The show’s host described keeping Eberflus as “worse than starting over,” saying the organization must “expand its net” beyond familiar coaching hires. Ownership’s recent pattern of selecting former associates, Mike Nolan, Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer, and now Eberflus, was cited as evidence of a narrow search process that has failed to produce consistent results.
The same report outlined potential replacements if a change occurs. Internal candidate Al Harris was mentioned as a possible interview target. External options included Brian Flores, Raheem Morris, Todd Bowles, and Jim Leonhard. Each was identified as a proven or rising defensive strategist under contract elsewhere but potentially available through staff turnover. The consensus: Dallas needs to modernize its defensive approach and broaden its hiring criteria.
Defensive Results Below Expectation
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports described Dallas’ defense as “the second worst in the NFL.” He emphasized that the unit’s performance is not reflective of its talent level, calling it “bottom-two execution, not bottom-two personnel.” It was also noted that the team’s losses to Arizona and Minnesota were “season-defining,” eliminating realistic playoff hopes. SportsLine projections place Dallas below two percent to reach the postseason.
Michael Irvin addressed the team’s state more bluntly, labeling the year a “failure.” He said the only measure for success in Dallas is playoff contention, not statistical production. His statement followed a midseason stretch when the offense averaged more than 30 points per game at home, underscoring the frustration surrounding the defensive collapse.
Current Standing and Remaining Schedule
With three games remaining, Dallas remains mathematically alive but functionally out of contention. The defense has allowed thirty or more points in most of its losses and ranks near the bottom of the league in both third-down and red-zone efficiency. The offense continues to perform at a playoff level, but the overall record reflects the imbalance between sides of the ball.
