> At a Glance
> – Cowboys lost 34-17 to the Giants, allowing 34 points and 380 yards.
> – Owner Jerry Jones said defensive problems extend beyond Matt Eberflus, no guarantee of his return.
> – Team ranked 30th of 32 in scoring and passing defense, first time giving up 30+ points a game.
> – Why it matters: The loss and defensive struggles may trigger a coaching change.
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a 34-17 defeat to the New York Giants, a loss that highlighted the team’s defensive woes. Owner Jerry Jones said the problems run deeper than coordinator Matt Eberflus, raising questions about his future. With a 7-9-1 record and a defensive ranking of 30th, the franchise faces a critical review of its defensive strategy.
Owner’s Assessment
Before the game, Jerry Jones emphasized that the defense’s struggles are not solely Eberflus’s fault. He noted that it took five or six years for the issues to manifest and that the problems stem from a mix of philosophies. Jones did not guarantee the coordinator will stay on Brian Schottenheimer’s staff.
Jerry Jones stated:
> “It’s much broader than that. Don’t blame this all on ‘Flus. This took five or six years to get here. This is a product of several years of combinations of philosophies.”
Defensive Performance
The Cowboys allowed 34 points and 380 total yards in the final game, marking the first time in franchise history the team surrendered 30+ points in a single contest. Over the last five games, the defense averaged more than 35 points allowed. The team was ranked 30th of 32 in both scoring and passing defense during Eberflus’s first season.
- 34 points allowed in loss
- 380 total yards allowed
- 30th of 32 in scoring defense
Future Outlook
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said he would review all statistics and have conversations with players. He acknowledged Eberflus is a good defensive coach but the process begins with him. Schottenheimer hinted at hard but constructive discussions ahead.
Brian Schottenheimer said:
> “We will look at all the stats and have conversations with the players. He’s a really good defensive coach, but we are going through the process and that starts with myself. There is going to be hard conversations in a good way, and the players and the coaches understand that.”
Schottenheimer continued:
> “At the end of the day, until we get all that information, we won’t be able to fix anything.”
| Category | Rank |
|---|---|
| Scoring | 30th |
| Passing | 30th |
| Overall | 30th |
With four defensive coordinators in recent years, the Cowboys have seen frequent changes. Dan Quinn left after 2023, Mike Zimmer was replaced, and Eberflus joined after a stint with the Bears.
Key Takeaways
- Cowboys’ season-ending loss highlighted defensive deficiencies.
- Owner Jerry Jones said problems extend beyond Matt Eberflus, no guarantee of his return.
- Coach Schottenheimer plans to review stats and hold tough conversations.
The season’s final blow may prompt a reassessment of the Cowboys’ defensive leadership.
