When the richest sports team in the world keeps losing badly, there is plenty of blame to go around.
Some critics insist that owner Jerry Jones, whose net worth is valued at more than $15 billion, is the main reason the Dallas Cowboys are underperforming.
GettyDak Prescott can’t afford to start 1-3 as the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback[/caption]
Others are pointing the spotlight at Dak Prescott, who started a new NFL season by becoming the highest-paid quarterback in league history, but is now 1-3 in his last four games.
The universally agreed answer is that the Cowboys must fix themselves — fast.
“This Cowboys season, with a week left to go in September, feels more dead on arrival at this point of the season than any in recent history,” RJ Ochoa, editor in chief of Blogging The Boys, exclusively told talkSPORT’s NFL End Zone show.
Dallas (1-2) travels to MetLife Stadium to face the NFC East rival New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.
New York (1-2) is coming off an road win over the Cleveland Browns, turning TNF into a near-must win for Prescott, Jones and the struggling Cowboys.
talkSPORT End Zone host Will Gavin said that the Cowboys are “horrible” and the problems start at the top, including poor roster decisions and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who previously hold the same job with Dallas from 2000-06.
“They’ve invested all this money in this top-end talent and look completely devoid of anything beyond it,” Gavin said.
“The Mike Zimmer defense is horrible right now. I just think coaching defense, supporting cast, all of it.
“We can dig out Dak Prescott as much as we want. But he is on one of the worst teams in the NFL right now, so I kind of feel almost sorry for him — almost.”
With CeeDee Lamb arguing with Prescott and the Cowboys’ defense ranking 28th in the NFL in average yards allowed (372.7), a road loss to New York would push Dallas to 1-3 in a tough division that features Jalen Hurts‘ Philadelphia Eagles and Jayden Daniels‘ Washington Commanders.
GettyJerry Jones needs more return for his on-field investment in the Cowboys’ roster[/caption]
GettyPrescott and Jones have a lot to figure out on Thursday Night Football[/caption]
GettyMalik Nabers could have a big game for the Giants in primetime[/caption]
Prescott tops the league in passing yards (851) but the more telling stat is his 60.7 completion percentage, which is 25th in the NFL and barely edges the Giants’ Daniel Jones (59.6).
Ochoa backed Prescott and said he has the “DNA to be able to do it.”
“Dak has to be better,” Ochoa said. “I don’t say any of that to absolve him of blame. But he’s getting no help from the cast around him.
“His offensive playcaller and his head coach, Mike McCarthy, is not scheming him advantages that he can capitalize on or work to his benefit. And so he is swimming upstream in a lot of ways.”
So are the Cowboys through three games.
For all the weekly drama that regularly surrounds a franchise worth more than Manchester United and Real Madrid, the Cowboys have gone 12-5 in three consecutive seasons.
To reach that strong record, Dallas started fast.
The Cowboys went 6-1 to begin the 2021 campaign, 4-1 to start 2022, and 3-1 to ignite last season.
Win in New York on TNF, and Dallas will find middle ground.
Fall to 1-3, and a team that started the 2024 season “dead on arrival” could soon start sharpening the axe.
“I think the Giants are going to win that game,” Gavin said.
“I think Malik Nabers against this Mike Zimmer defense might completely take them apart.
“I really like the Giants to win on Thursday.”
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