NFC East Chaos: Cowboys and Eagles Keep the Door Open, But Can Dallas Walk Through It?
What once looked like a two-horse race has turned into a stumble-fest. The NFC East, one of the NFL’s most storied divisions, suddenly feels like a crown no one actually wants. The Cowboys had a shot to tighten their grip on the race, but a Thursday night loss to the Lions brought back all the ghosts from earlier in the season-sloppy execution, defensive breakdowns, and missed opportunities.
Then came Monday night, and the Eagles had a chance to capitalize. Instead, they laid another offensive egg, falling to the Chargers in a game that marked their third straight loss.
Yes, they’ve got the Raiders coming to town next, and yes, that could be a get-right game-but the damage is done. The division is still up for grabs, and somehow, Dallas is still in it.
Defensive Woes Rear Their Head Again
Let’s start with the Cowboys’ defense, because it’s been a rollercoaster. For a few weeks, it looked like they had turned the corner.
But against Detroit, the unit gave up six plays of 20 yards or more-including a 35-yard run and multiple chunk gains through the air. Jared Goff had time, space, and rhythm, and the Cowboys’ pass rush barely showed up, registering just one sack.
That’s a problem.
If you can’t generate pressure, even average quarterbacks can carve you up. And Goff is better than average when he’s comfortable.
The concern is that this isn’t a one-off issue. With Justin Herbert looming on the schedule-a quarterback who just torched the Eagles despite playing through a hand injury-the Cowboys can’t afford another no-show from their front seven.
But not everyone’s hitting the panic button just yet.
There’s Still Fight in This Defense
Look, the Lions are a top-tier offensive unit, and their offensive line is arguably the best in football. It’s not shocking that they neutralized Dallas’ pass rush.
Since the Cowboys added Quinnen Williams, the defense ranks 20th in EPA per play and 16th in success rate. Not elite, but not disastrous either.
And while Herbert is a more dynamic quarterback than Goff, his offensive line is banged up and inconsistent. That’s shown up in his performance-he’s had five games this year with a completion rate under 60%.
That’s the kind of inconsistency Dallas can exploit. And beyond Herbert, the Cowboys face J.J.
McCarthy next, a far less threatening presence under center. So while there are red flags, there’s also reason to believe this defense can bounce back.
Slow Starts Are Sinking the Offense
If there’s one issue that’s been consistently nagging the Cowboys, it’s how sluggish they are out of the gate. The offense often needs a quarter-or more-to find its rhythm. And that’s a killer in close games.
The offensive line is part of the problem. The interior has held up well, but the tackles have been shaky, especially since Tyler Guyton’s injury.
That edge pressure is forcing Dak Prescott to rush throws and limiting the run game. When you’re constantly playing from behind early, it changes the entire complexion of the game.
The Cowboys need to start faster, plain and simple.
Dak’s Trust in His Playmakers Is a Double-Edged Sword
Prescott’s been forced to adapt. With the line struggling, he’s leaning more on his skill players to make something happen.
And to be fair, he’s got the weapons to do that. But it’s not a sustainable formula-especially when you’re facing playoff-caliber defenses down the stretch.
The Cowboys can’t keep spotting teams early leads and hoping to claw back. They need to establish rhythm early, protect Dak better, and get the run game going before they’re down two scores.
Special Teams: The Hidden Liability
Here’s something that’s flying under the radar but shouldn’t be: Dallas’ special teams have been a mess lately. They’re top-three in the league in both special teams penalties and penalty yardage. And opponents are starting drives at the 31-yard line on average-one of the worst marks in the league.
That’s putting the defense in terrible spots. Against Detroit, two of the Lions’ touchdown drives started with fewer than 60 yards to go. That’s not just bad luck-that’s bad coverage and bad discipline.
Even KaVontae Turpin, usually a bright spot, has made some head-scratching decisions lately. He’s drawn flags in back-to-back games for calling a fair catch and then running with the ball. Those are the kinds of mental errors that can swing games, especially in December.
Yes, kicker Brandon Aubrey has been lights-out, and Turpin is still a threat every time he touches the ball. But the rest of the unit?
Sloppy. And that’s something coaching needs to clean up fast.
So, Where Do the Cowboys Go From Here?
The Cowboys are still alive in the playoff hunt, but they’ve made it harder than it needed to be. They’re in a position where everything has to go right-on offense, on defense, and especially on special teams.
The good news? Some of these issues are fixable.
The special teams miscues? That’s about discipline and coaching.
The offensive line? Maybe some shuffling or schematic tweaks can help.
The defense? It’s shown flashes, and the schedule offers a couple of matchups where they can get right.
But the margin for error is gone. Dallas has been digging this hole all season, and now it’s time to find out if they can climb out-or if they’re going to get buried in it.
The NFC East is still within reach. The question is: do the Cowboys want it badly enough to clean up their act and go take it?