Trevon Diggs Sounds Off as Cowboys’ Defense Falters Again in Costly Loss to Vikings
The Dallas Cowboys are running out of time-and excuses. Sunday’s 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings wasn’t just another stumble; it was a glaring red flag for a defense that’s been searching for answers all season. And cornerback Trevon Diggs isn’t hiding his frustration.
After the game, Diggs pointed directly to the recent shake-up at defensive coordinator as a potential source of the team’s ongoing struggles. His comments were candid, and they cut to the heart of what’s been ailing this Cowboys defense.
“It could be the change of defensive coordinators, you know, that's hard,” Diggs said postgame. “It's hard to deal with just changing personnel, finding what fits, finding what fits your players that you have. It's just trying to find a balance that you could run with.”
That "balance" has been elusive for Dallas. Since Matt Eberflus took over defensive play-calling duties, the unit has looked disjointed, especially in critical moments.
Against Minnesota, the Cowboys failed to record a single sack on rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who turned in one of his sharpest performances of the year.
McCarthy finished 15-of-24 for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception-hardly eye-popping numbers, but more than enough to get the job done against a defense that couldn’t get off the field when it mattered most.
The Vikings, who had only scored 30 or more points twice all season before Sunday, found the end zone on three of their four red zone trips. That’s where the game was lost.
The Cowboys’ inability to tighten up near the goal line has become a theme, and it’s one that’s now being reflected in the season-long stats. Dallas has allowed 420 points this season-second-most in the league.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped the Cowboys to 6-7, clinging to faint playoff hopes in a crowded NFC. They now sit behind the 9-5 Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and will need to win out-against the Chargers, Commanders, and Giants-while also getting help from around the league.
But the bigger question looming over Dallas isn’t just about playoff math. It’s about whether this coaching staff, particularly on the defensive side, is equipped to right the ship in time. Team owner Jerry Jones didn’t mince words when asked about Matt Eberflus’ future.
“The adjustments that we should be making should be with this year, these next three games in mind,” Jones said following the loss. “They should not be being made, and with three games left in the short time we’ve got to play ’em in, then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching, the timeframe we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.”
Translation: Eberflus’ seat just got a lot hotter.
The Cowboys’ defense wasn’t just outplayed on Sunday-it looked unprepared. Minnesota averaged slightly fewer total yards but edged Dallas in yards per play, a telling stat that underscores how efficiently the Vikings moved the ball when it counted. For a team that prides itself on defensive talent, the breakdowns in communication and execution are becoming too frequent to ignore.
With three games left, the Cowboys are facing a crossroads. They have the talent to make a late push, but the margin for error is gone. And with players like Diggs publicly voicing concerns, the pressure on Eberflus and the entire defensive staff is mounting.
This isn’t just about fixing scheme-it’s about restoring confidence in a unit that’s lost its identity. If the Cowboys can’t find that balance Diggs talked about, and fast, this season might slip away before they even get a chance to fight for it in January.