Cowboys’ Defensive Decisions Under Fire After Costly Loss to Lions
The Dallas Cowboys came into this one riding a wave of momentum, winners of three straight and surging toward a playoff push. But Sunday’s 44-30 loss to the Lions wasn’t just a stumble - it was a defensive collapse that raised serious questions, particularly about who’s getting the nod at linebacker.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t about a lack of talent on the field. The Cowboys have playmakers. But the decision to keep Kenneth Murray Jr. on the field for the lion’s share of snaps - over newly acquired Logan Wilson - is one that’s becoming harder to justify.
Murray Struggles Again While Wilson Watches
Murray’s season has been rough, and Sunday night was no exception. Whether it was missed tackles, poor reads, or just getting flat-out beat, the veteran linebacker had another game to forget.
One moment stood out in particular: late to react on a short pass to Jahmyr Gibbs, Murray found himself grasping at air as the Lions’ electric back left him behind with a nasty cut. To be fair, Gibbs makes a lot of defenders look silly in space - DaRon Bland missed one too - but Murray’s misstep was just one of several.
Then came the touchdown run from David Montgomery. Murray bit the wrong way entirely, opening up a lane that Montgomery didn’t hesitate to exploit.
The play lit up social media with fans voicing their frustration, and understandably so. This wasn’t a one-off mistake - it was part of a pattern that’s been hard to ignore all season.
Where Is Logan Wilson?
The Cowboys didn’t trade for Logan Wilson just to let him ride the bench. When the move was made, the expectation was clear: Wilson and DeMarvion Overshown would form a fresh, athletic duo in the middle of the defense.
But that vision hasn’t materialized. Instead, Murray continues to log significant snaps, and the results continue to disappoint.
This isn’t just a fan gripe - it’s a legitimate football question. Wilson has shown he can be a smart, instinctive player with solid coverage skills and reliable tackling.
So why isn’t he getting more run? That’s a question defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will need to answer - and soon.
Quinnen Williams Trade a Bright Spot, But Not Enough
To be fair, the Cowboys did make a strong move in acquiring Quinnen Williams, and he’s been a force up front. His presence has helped the defensive line hold its own, but it’s not enough when the second level keeps giving up chunk plays. The front can only do so much if the linebackers aren’t cleaning things up behind them.
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
This game wasn’t just a loss - it was a gut punch to Dallas’ postseason hopes. With the margin for error razor thin, the Cowboys now need help just to stay in the hunt. Even if the Chargers can knock off the Eagles on Monday night, Dallas still has to win out - and play much better defensively - to have a real shot.
And that brings us back to the linebacker rotation. If Kenneth Murray keeps logging 30-plus snaps a game while Logan Wilson watches from the sideline, it’s fair to wonder if the Cowboys are giving themselves the best chance to win.
Personnel decisions matter, especially in December. And right now, this one is costing them.