The Dallas Cowboys' playoff hopes were already hanging by a thread after last Thursday’s loss to the Detroit Lions. But Sunday’s home defeat to the Minnesota Vikings - led by a second-year quarterback in J.J.
McCarthy making just his first full season as a starter - felt like the final nail in the coffin. And for a fanbase that’s seen its share of heartbreak, this one hit especially hard.
McCarthy didn’t look like an inexperienced signal-caller under the lights. He looked poised, decisive, and - most importantly - productive against a Cowboys defense that’s been unraveling all season.
The 34-26 loss marked the seventh time this year that Dallas has surrendered 30 or more points. That’s not just a troubling trend - that’s a full-blown identity crisis on defense.
And Cowboys fans? They're fed up. The frustration is boiling over, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is squarely in the crosshairs.
Social media lit up in the aftermath, with fans calling for immediate change. The message was loud and clear: Eberflus has to go.
One fan wrote, “Fire Matt Eberflus yesterday!!!!!!” Another chimed in, “If the Cowboys do not fire Matt Eberflus then they are not a serious franchise.”
And that sentiment was echoed across the board, with fans demanding a defensive coordinator who can actually scheme to the roster’s strengths - particularly in man coverage.
This isn’t just emotional venting. The numbers back up the outrage.
Dallas ranks dead last in passing yards allowed per game (254.8) and is giving up the second-most points per game in the league (30.0). That’s not just underperformance - that’s a defense in free fall.
It’s been a tough year for Eberflus, who came to Dallas looking for a second chance after a rocky stint as the Bears’ head coach. But instead of redemption, he’s facing even more scrutiny. And while the Cowboys’ defensive roster wasn’t exactly stacked to begin with - especially after trading away All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons - the results are still falling well below what anyone expected.
Let’s be clear: the offense hasn’t been the problem. Dak Prescott and company have done more than enough to keep this team in the playoff conversation.
But when your defense can’t stop anyone, it doesn’t matter how many points you put on the board. The Cowboys have been losing shootouts, and that’s a recipe for disappointment in December.
Now, with a 6-7-1 record and just three games left on the schedule, all eyes are on Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner reportedly wants to see what Eberflus can do down the stretch, but the court of public opinion has already reached its verdict. And with the 10-4 Chargers coming to town this Sunday, the pressure isn’t easing up anytime soon.
The Cowboys still have talent. They still have fight. But unless the defense can flip a switch - and fast - this season is headed for a bitter ending.