Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones: Defense Back to Square One After Home Loss
Owner Jerry Jones expressed deep concern over the Dallas Cowboys' defensive performance following a surprising home defeat to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones stated that the Dallas Cowboys are effectively "right where we started" concerning their defense after a disheartening home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who entered the game without a victory this season.
The Cowboys' defense has struggled significantly, allowing opponents to complete at least 70% of their passes without throwing an interception in each of the first five games. This statistic places them alongside the 2012 Oakland Raiders as the only teams in NFL history to achieve such a streak, according to Sportradar.
Dallas has attempted to revitalize its defense by overhauling the roster and bringing in 34-year-old first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker, following the firing of Matt Eberflus after one season. Eberflus's tenure ended with the defense recording a franchise-low six interceptions.
Currently, the Cowboys are the only NFL team without an interception this season and rank last in the league in rushing defense. "We are still, in my mind, right where we started relative to our defense," Jones said.
The Cowboys, now 2-3 on the season, are facing offensive struggles as well. The typically potent offense went quiet between a 70-yard touchdown drive at the start of the game and a 99-yard march in the fourth quarter that failed to secure a comeback.
Quarterback Dak Prescott drew a parallel between the recent loss and similar unexpected home defeats from previous seasons, suggesting a need for the team to approach all games with the same intensity as high-profile matchups. "It’s these kind of games that you feel like you should just walk in and win. And I guess that some of us may feel that way, that we’ve got to find a way to make them mean just as much as the big games,” Prescott said.
Adding to the defensive concerns, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., acquired just days prior in a trade with Pittsburgh, was a late scratch due to illness. The team also saw cornerback DaRon Bland, who previously set an NFL record for interception return touchdowns, drop a potential game-tying interception in the fourth quarter. Tight end Jake Ferguson had a particularly difficult game, with a late drop that led to a clinching interception for the Buccaneers.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will face the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 18. Historically, Dallas has struggled against Green Bay, holding a 1-10-1 record in their last 12 meetings, including three playoff losses. The team is also monitoring an injury to left tackle Tyler Guyton's back, which forced him out of the recent game.