Is the Cowboys Defense really good or just average? We are about to find out

Add as preferred source on Google

To state the obvious: The Cowboys’ defense last weekend was as bad as they have ever been under Dan Quinn.

Their 42 points conceded to the 49ers on Sunday Night Football were the most this defense had ever allowed in a single game since the former Atlanta Falcons head coach became this team’s defensive coordinator in 2021.

Had Brock Purdy played the entire game, who knows how bad the 42-10 loss could have become, as it looked like Mr. Irrelevant would put up six points every time he touched the ball.

With the defense allowing 251 yards through the air, 170 on the ground, 25 first down, and six TDs versus San Fran, one would hope it’ll serve as a wake-up call that this defensive unit cannot rest on its laurels from their first three victories of the year.

It has to serve as a learning experience for a group that conceded one more point last Sunday than they had allowed in their first four games combined, but it might also be best to put it in the rear-view mirror as the job will not get easier in the coming weeks.

Tall order

Many folks may have jumped the gun with the Cowboys’ early season performances, comparing them to the 2013 Legion of Boom in Seattle, the 2000 Ravens, the 85 Bears and 76 Steelers, just to name a few.

The fact is that Dallas’ three wins this year against the Giants, Jets and Patriots, where they conceded a combined 13 points, came against a trio of below-average offensive units, to put it mildly.

The Giants have only managed 255.2 offensive yards per game, New England have the league’s lowest points-per-game average, while the Jets have the fewest passing yards per game (160.4).

Over the next three weeks, Dallas can expect to face more formidable offensive units as the Chargers, Rams and Eagles all rank in the top 10 regarding yards per game.

Their opposing QB this weekend, Justin Herbert, has the third-highest passer rating among NFL pivots who have played all five games so far (106.3).

The Rams, who they face at the end of October, currently boast the number two receiver in the league for yards, Puka Nacua (572).

Cooper Kupp had 118 yards in his return from injury last week, and Matthew Stafford is fourth in passing yards (1,451) heading into this weekend.

Dallas kick off November by facing the reigning NFC champions and AJ Brown, who’s fourth in receiving yards at the moment (541), while Jalen Hurts is heating up with over 300 yards passing in back-to-back contests.

America’s Team have allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game heading into this weekend (292.0), while they’re tied for third with Buffalo in turnover differential (+6).

The season is still relatively young, and perhaps there was too much hype surrounding this defense after their solid early form.

On the other hand, by the end of Week 8, we should have a clearer idea of how well this defense stacks up against the big boys in the NFL.