Matt Eberflus is feeling the heat again in Dallas - and this time, the numbers aren’t doing him any favors.
The Cowboys’ defense, under Eberflus’ direction, has been one of the league’s most porous units this season. We're talking last in passing defense, second-worst in points allowed per game, and sitting near the bottom in total yards surrendered.
It’s not just that they’ve struggled - it’s that they’ve become the cure-all for struggling offenses. If your quarterback’s been in a slump, facing the Cowboys might be just what the doctor ordered.
Case in point: Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy.
Before Sunday night, McCarthy had been finding his footing in the league. But against Dallas?
He looked like a seasoned vet, throwing for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception - all while staying clean in the pocket. No sacks.
No real pressure. And a 34-26 Vikings win that left Jerry Jones and Cowboys fans shaking their heads.
“We let their quarterback have a big day on us,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “That wasn’t the plan. We could have used more pressure, without question, at different times.”
That quote says a lot. Not just about McCarthy’s performance, but about a recurring issue for this Dallas defense: quarterbacks consistently outperform expectations when they play the Cowboys. Jones acknowledged it’s become a pattern - one that’s hard to ignore.
And here’s the kicker: while the defense has been springing leaks, the Cowboys’ offense has been humming. They’re leading the league in both total yards and passing yards per game.
They’ve done more than enough to give Dallas a shot in most games. But the defense hasn’t kept up its end of the bargain.
“Candidly, just to be very up front about it,” Jones said, “I think if we could have gotten this defense in better shape earlier that we could be sitting here with the kind of wins that would’ve not had us in this tight spot.”
That’s about as blunt as it gets from Jones - a clear signal that the defensive struggles are seen as the biggest obstacle in what could’ve been a more successful season.
What makes the situation even more pointed is that Jones doesn’t think the issue is talent. He’s “satisfied” with the roster on that side of the ball and believes the scheme should be working with the players they have. Translation: the pieces are there - they just aren’t being put together the right way.
So what does that mean for Eberflus? His future likely hinges on the next three games. When asked directly if the defense’s performance down the stretch would determine whether Eberflus returns as defensive coordinator, Jones didn’t hesitate.
“I think that should be a big criteria because these three games are vital to us, important to us,” he said. “Yes, how we play over these next three weeks will be a big criteria because we’re at one of the peaks of our healthiness right now.”
In other words, no more excuses. The Cowboys are relatively healthy, the schedule is manageable - and the defense has a chance to prove it can rise to the occasion.
They’ll close the season against the Chargers, Commanders, and Giants. None of those offenses are juggernauts, but that’s exactly what makes this stretch so telling.
If the defense can’t show up now, when will it?
There’s still a sliver of postseason hope, but even if the playoffs are a long shot, these final games carry weight. Not just for the standings, but for the future of the Cowboys’ defensive leadership. Eberflus has three weeks to change the narrative - or risk being the fall guy for a season where the offense did its job, and the defense couldn’t keep up.