The Dallas Cowboys have had an unpredictable start to their 2024 season, filled with both critical wins and challenging defeats. Early blows came with consecutive home losses in the first three weeks—against the New Orleans Saints (44-19) and then the Baltimore Ravens (28-25).
Redemption came for the Cowboys as they secured their second win of the season against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," finishing the game with a 20-15 scoreline. This victory not only balanced their season record to 2-2 but also highlighted Dak Prescott's continued dominance over the Giants. Prescott now holds a 13th consecutive win against New York, a streak that ties him for the second-longest winning run against a single opponent by a quarterback since at least 1950.
Prescott had an efficient performance, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of 21 passes. Notably, he connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Reflecting on the win, Prescott’s accuracy and decision-making were key factors in the Cowboys' success.
Special teams also had standout moments. Brandon Aubrey made impressive field goals from 60 and 40 yards, though he missed a 51-yard attempt—his first miss from 50-plus yards, putting an end to his previously perfect streak. Aubrey's record now stands at 16 successful field goals out of 17 attempts from 50 or more yards, securing his position as the holder of the longest consecutive streak of long-range field goals in NFL history.
This defensive narrative was a tale of contrasts. The unit permitted a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Ravens in Week 3—a performance that left fans and analysts alike questioning their ground defense. However, in a dramatic turnaround, the defense allowed only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries against the Giants. A pivotal figure in that resurgence was defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who played a crucial role in stifling the Giants’ rushing attempts throughout the game.
The game against the Giants was not without its setbacks. Defensive stalwarts Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence suffered injuries during the second half. Lawrence's foot injury forced him out after the third quarter, while Parsons, despite undergoing an X-ray with negative results, expressed hope for a swift return, stating, "I'll be good." Lawrence's passion and frustration were evident as he called for greater accountability and unity within the team, saying, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and "Get out of playing little league football."
Despite these challenges, the defense held firm. Amani Oruwariye's critical interception with just 15 seconds remaining ensured the Cowboys' final victory. That determination on the defensive end was marred by injuries, with DaRon Bland facing a stress fracture in his foot and Caelen Carson dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Cowboys’ offense, however, has room for considerable improvement. Currently averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, the team ranks third-worst in the NFL this season. Similarly, their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league, with the longest rush of the season for the Cowboys being a mere 12-yard run by CeeDee Lamb.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face challenging matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. The critical injuries and offensive struggles underline the need for the team to adhere to the guiding principle voiced by Micah Parsons: "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison." The capacity to play as a unified team may very well determine the outcome of their upcoming games and the trajectory of their season.