At 3-5-1, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in unfamiliar territory, searching for answers at the halfway point of a disappointing season. The bye week offers a rare moment for reflection, and as a lifelong Cowboys fan, it’s impossible not to dissect where things have gone wrong and where things can still be fixed. There’s talent on this roster, but a series of glaring issues have held the team back from being a true contender. Here are a few key takeaways from this much-needed break.
Run Defense is Still Lacking
Let’s start with one of the most frustrating part of the Cowboys’ season: the run defense. After the front office traded away Micah Parsons earlier in the year, the expectation was that the defense would shift its identity to a more balanced, gap-disciplined unit. With Kenny Clark anchoring the middle, fans hoped the bleeding would stop. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. Dallas currently ranks 29th in the league, giving up a staggering 143.0 rushing yards per game. That’s not just bad, it’s embarrassing for a team that claims to have Super Bowl aspirations. The addition of Quinnen Williams should help immensely, as he’s one of the NFL’s most dominant run defenders and brings a physical edge that’s been sorely missing.
Pairing him with Logan Wilson, a proven tackling machine at linebacker, could finally give this unit some stability. Still, until we see consistent gap control, sound tackling, and a little pride in stopping the run, it’s hard to believe the defense will hold up against playoff-caliber opponents.
Need for Speed in the Backfield
On offense, Javonte Williams has been a revelation. His bruising running style and ability to shed tackles have brought much-needed toughness to the ground game. He’s the kind of back who can wear down a defense late in games. However, what this offense lacks is speed; that game-breaking element that keeps defenses honest. When the Cowboys drafted Jaydon Blue, fans were excited about his potential as a home-run threat, but in typical fashion, that experiment ended abruptly.
After getting just 15 carries over two weeks, Blue was a healthy scratch against the Cardinals, with Malik Davis getting the nod instead. That’s the kind of decision that leaves fans scratching their heads. Imagine the offense with a change-of-pace back who could stretch the field; someone like Tony Pollard, who ironically was available at the trade deadline. Adding a back with burst would complement Williams perfectly and open up play-action opportunities for Dak Prescott. Without that speed element, this offense continues to feel predictable and one-dimensional in the rushing attack.