The Dallas Cowboys may have survived their 40-37 overtime shootout against the Giants, but the last two weeks have exposed this scheme and a disturbing truth: this defense is broken—and it’s Matt Eberflus’ fault.
His scheme is predictable, doesn’t fit the personnel, and is allowing quarterbacks to carve Dallas up with alarming ease.
Two Weeks of Defensive Disaster
Across the last two games, the Cowboys have surrendered 71 points and 720 passing yards.
Against the Giants, Russell Wilson torched Dallas for 450 yards and three touchdowns, completing 30 of 41 passes and scrambling for 23 more yards.
The following week, Bears second-year QB Caleb Williams was just as efficient, throwing for 298 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-14 win, while not being sacked once.
This isn’t a one-off bad performance. It’s a pattern.
Both games featured the same issues: soft zone coverage, linebackers being mismatched in space, and safeties arriving late to the play.
Linebackers Exposed in Coverage
Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray Jr. are downhill linebackers who play their best football attacking the line of scrimmage.
Instead of allowing them to be tone-setters, Eberflus is asking them to patrol shallow zones against NFL-caliber athletes in space.
The results have been predictable.
Against New York, Wan’Dale Robinson (8 catches, 142 yards) and Malik Nabers (9 catches, 167 yards, 2 TDs) repeatedly found soft spots over the middle or burning the safeties for a touchdown.
In Chicago, Cole Kmet waltzed into the end zone uncovered, and both Bears running backs were consistent safety valves for Caleb Williams.
These aren’t just execution issues; they are schematic mismatches that opposing coordinators are actively targeting.
Corners Playing the Wrong Role
Dallas invested in Trevon Diggs and Kaiir Elam because they are man-to-man corners. They thrive in press coverage, disrupting timing and forcing quarterbacks to make tight-window throws.
But in Eberflus’ system, they are sitting back in zone, letting receivers dictate routes.
The Giants and Bears took full advantage—Luther Burden III (3 catches, 101 yards, TD) and Rome Odunze (3 catches, 62 yards, TD) made explosive plays in space because the Cowboys’ corners were reacting rather than challenging.
Diggs’ ball-hawking ability has been neutralized because he’s never in a position to jump routes.
Donovan Wilson Out of Position
Safety Donovan Wilson is a physical enforcer built for box play, blitzing, and disrupting run lanes.
In this scheme, he’s playing deep zones, effectively turning him into a center-fielder—a role that minimizes impact.
Both the Giants and Bears used play-action to freeze him, then attacked behind him for big gains. This misuse of one of Dallas’ most aggressive defenders and a prime example of why this defense lacks bite.
Predictable and Passive
Perhaps the most damning problem is how vanilla this defense has become. There are no creative disguises, no consistent QB spies, and almost no exotic pressures.
The Cowboys had zero sacks against Chicago and barely touched Williams all game. Russell Wilson faced the same soft looks for four quarters and methodically shredded them.
You can’t sit back and expect the front four to win on a constant basis.
Why Micah Parsons Wouldn’t Have Saved This Defense
Some fans believe that if Micah Parsons were still on the team, the Cowboys would look like a different unit. That’s wishful thinking.
Parsons wasn’t even practicing in the weeks leading up to his trade to Green Bay, dealing with what was reported as a “back issue” that had already limited his impact.
Even if he were healthy, Parsons’ presence would not fix the schematic problems that plague this defense.
Dallas’ linebackers would still be miscast in coverage. Diggs and Elam would still be sitting in zone. Donovan Wilson would still be wasting his skill set in deep coverage. This isn’t about one player—it’s about a system that refuses to adapt.
Coaching Problem
The Cowboys don’t have a talent problem—they have a coaching problem.
Matt Eberflus’ scheme is outdated, predictable, and misaligned with the strengths of his personnel. Sanborn and Murray should be attacking, not covering. Diggs and Elam should be pressing, not bailing. Wilson should be hitting, not chasing.
Until this defense is re-imagined—either by Eberflus admitting his system doesn’t work or by Dallas finding someone who will—expect more of the same: blown coverages, long drives, and a unit that keeps this team from reaching its true potential.
a Dallas Cowboys fan, since 70’s the Cowboys defense was gong to be terrible with or without Micah Parsons in 2025
I’ve been thinking this all morning. He’s trying to fit the personnel to his scheme and it seems like the best defensive coaches do the exact opposite. If the game against Green Bay goes how I expect it to, he’s likely to be gone before week 5.
So, I guess it’s time to blame the coaches now. I guess that’s one way to try and rationalize this loss, etc.
Or maybe Eberflus just doesn’t trust these CBs. Case in point, look what happened when he switched to man, and Diggs tried to jam Odunze at the line. He missed, slipped, nearly falls down and Odunze easily blows by him for an easy long TD pass. Diggs just looks bad right now. Maybe it’s from the injury or something else?
Front office gets criticized when they wait too long to pay a player. But Diggs is a prime example of what can happen when they pay a player too EARLY.
If they lose to the Packers this week, they are in a hole which they probably won’t be able to climb out of as far as playoffs. And it’s not just the defense; this offense manages 14 points against a team that got pasted by the Lions for 52 the week prior. During the broadcast Brady kept saying the Bears have holes in their defense. I guess QB1 and the rest of the offense could not find them. What he did find in the end zone with about 5 minutes still left, was a player in a different jersey. That would have cut the deficit to ten, 31-21/22. But maybe the game was over already?
In any case this lose was an embarrassment. Things better turn around quickly or maybe this team, with all the “talent”, is just overrated.
All that said there was some players who played hard and should be pointed out. IMO, Javonte W ran hard and well (save the fumble), Kavonte T is fiery and should be used more, Sam W running down RB Swift 40 yards down field from his D-line position was exemplary.
sad to say, but the season s starting to appear over. players are dropping like flies, wide open receivers. same old same old.
They has 6 months to prepare for Filly, and sholda won – but their best player had a case of the dropsies which cost them.
Maybe keep the coach and get a real GM?
fat chance.
NOT A TALENT PROBLEM!! SERIOUSLY!!! NO PARSONS – NO LEWIS -DIGGS STILL RECOVERING? WILLIAMS HAS NOT BEEN GOOD!! WHERE’S THE PASS RUSH?? WHERE’S THE PREDICTED RUN STOPPERS?? DAK REPEATEDLY CHECKING THE BALL DOWN, EVEN ON 3RD & LONG & WHEN TRAILING 3 SCORES ??? SHEEESH!!! ANY COORDINATOR LOOKS BAD WHEN BEING HANDICAPPED WITH A TOTAL LACK OF TALENT & A QB THAT GIVES THEM NO HELP!!! JERRY JONES IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM. AND AFTER ALMOST 7 DECADES OF CHEERING FOR THE COWBOYS, HE’S MAKING IT MORE & MORE DIFFICULT…..FED-UP…..
Great article,Warren you describe the Cowboys’flaws perfectly. For me, Jerra’s first abd most terrible mistakes was hiring Brian Schottenheimer a coach with no accomplishments that Jerra could manage. I think as long as Jerra is GM the Cowboys will become an increasingly worse team
I don’t think it’s the scheme…. I think it’s the players!! Eberflus scheme is made to prevent big plays!! But giving up big plays is the only thing we’re doing on defense!! I think the worst thing that Eberflus is doing to this defense is putting the wrong players on the field!! Jack Sanborn shouldn’t be a starter, and he surely shouldn’t be on the field over Marist Liufau!! And he needs to have the Kentucky safety on the field too, instead of that Reddy Steward!! There’s a few changes that need to be made as far as players go, but the 2 I just mentioned are the biggest changes that need to be made!! Like I said, the scheme is made to prevent big plays down field, but some how, that’s our biggest problem, so it can’t be the scheme!! But maybe the players are having trouble understanding their assignments, and that’s what’s causing the big plays!! I know Schotty is pissed and he’s saying there’s gonna be changes, but we’ll just have to wait and see what those changes are!! I can already say that Eberflus isn’t going anywhere, so that’s not gonna be a change!! And like I said, I don’t think he’s the problem anyways, so hopefully he makes the changes with the players!!
Now the problem has been exposed for a couple weeks and Jerry Jones just lets it continue. We have an eberflus problem like we have a Jerry Jones problem. Double screwed!!!
Great analysis. I do believe the scheme does not match the players on the team. This has been done before and requires good players going away and a lot of getting new players in that doesn’t flip on a dime. The last two d- coords had similar schemes that is what the d is built for. Pass rush is a very big deal to dictate play. Michah would not alone fix that but but he would damn sure help. Dlaw was a bigger factor than thought of for one. We will see if clowney can help. If one guy is good enough he may not fix everything but he helps others get free. How about we use that draft clout and all that money allegedly save and hire a gm like the eagles roseman. just my opinion. Mcclay is good but he is being limited as far as I can see.
When was the last time the Joneses have hired quality coaches he cheapskate everything about the Cowboys he can talk about winning other SuperBowls until the cows come home his action doesn’t line up with his words and the fans are so passionate about their team they take the bait year after year Jerry understands one thing money and as long as his promise are putting butts in his stadium seats the false promises will keep filling his pocket as a fan starting in 1960 to the present I personal have had enough