Dallas is in solid position at season’s quarter mark

With the first quarter of the season in the books, the Dallas Cowboys can feel good about their current position.

At 3-1, Dallas is a game out of first in the NFC East. While the Eagles are 4-0, they could just as easily be 1-3 instead.

Riverboat Ron Rivera passed up a chance for the Commanders to beat the Eagles in regulation on Sunday.

Philadelphia was more than happy to send Washington back home with an overtime loss instead.

But despite being undefeated, the Eagles have won three games by just a one-possession score. They aren’t setting the NFL on fire.

In short, the Cowboys are in great shape at the quarter pole.

But its way too early to crow about their record, especially with some issues left to address on both sides of the ball.

Cowboys’ Defense Fueling 3-1 Start

The Cowboys have blown out their opponents in all three wins. This has been due in large part to its defense.

Through four games, Dallas’ defense has seven interceptions. They have returned two of those picks for touchdowns.

Dallas Cowboys’ DaRon Bland, left, reacts as he scores after intercepting the pass intended for New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Three also have recovered three fumbles, returning one for a score, and have a blocked field goal returned for a score.

They’ve recorded 14 sacks as well. Throw out the first half in Arizona – when the defense simply failed – and this unit is dominating right now.

Some of the meltdown in the desert can be laid at the feet of losing Trevon Diggs only a couple of days before.

With a full week to prepare, it looked like Dan Quinn made the needed adjustments.

DaRon Bland’s second game as a starter went much better than his first. But there are still areas of concern.

Arizona ate Dallas alive with their running game.

The Giants were doing the same before the turnovers forced them to throw the ball.

That cannot continue. Especially with the caliber of running backs ahead on the schedule.

The defense had some issues covering tight ends.

Again, the schedule ahead has some very good ones they’ll need to shut down.

Red Zone Red Alert

The defense has four touchdowns to its credit. The offense only has eight.

Brandon Aubrey has hit all 13 of his field goal attempts.

Brandon Aubrey attempts a field goal in the Cowboys’ 40-0 win over the Giants on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Eleven of them have been 39 yards or less and seven of those have been inside 29 yards.

That is not good. Dallas has left 28 points on the field because once they get inside the 20 the offense stalls.

Most of it can be attributed to the offensive line. Just four games in and the line is banged up.

The line’s five starters for the first two games haven’t started the last two games together due to injuries.

But the play calling in the red zone hasn’t been stellar either. Nor has the execution of those plays.

One glaring example came in Sunday’s win over the Patriots.

On third-and-goal from the one, Dak Prescott and Tony Pollard collided in the back field. The play resulted in a four-yard loss and a field goal.

Later in the game, Dallas did manage to punch it in on a third-and-goal from the three. Hunter Luepke barreled in for his first NFL touchdown.

The Cowboys need to start converting more of these opportunities into touchdowns instead of field goals.

Ball Security

While Prescott is only averaging around 225 yards passing, he’s also only got one interception.

That is already a vast improvement over last year. It’s a trend he needs to continue.

Nor has Dallas lost a fumble in the first four games.

That gives the Cowboys a +9 turnover ratio. If this continues, they will be winning games by large margins all season long.