Cowboys Coaches Weigh in on Offense and Defense Concerns
WHO:
azcardinals.com - Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said he trusted defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and the defensive staff, adding, “I think the details are improving.”
azcardinals.com - Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon recorded one tackle and forced a fumble recovered by Denzel Burke against the Rams.
azcardinals.com - Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. said players and coaches collaborated on the defensive game plan and that Rallis was listening to players.
azcardinals.com - Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier said the defense needed to keep building on its performance against the Rams.
dallascowboys.com - Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was expected to return against Philadelphia along with Cobie Durant.
dallascowboys.com - Quarterback Dak Prescott said the Cowboys needed to communicate better about “hots” and adjust protection against blitzes; he said the offensive line and running backs Javonte Williams and Tyler Goodson were taking ownership of the running-game struggles.
dallascowboys.com - Prescott said receiver George Pickens needed to get the ball earlier in games.
dallascowboys.com - Cowboys cornerback Cobie Durant returned to practice while recovering from a hamstring injury and said, “we just got to commit more turnovers.”
dallascowboys.com - Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the team’s offense was “in good shape” and that he was “very confident” head coach Brian Schottenheimer and his staff would make the right adjustments.
dallascowboys.com - Schottenheimer, in his first season calling Dallas’ offensive plays, said he would “absolutely not” give up playcalling duties. He called himself “an elite play-caller in this league.”
dallascowboys.com - The Dallas Cowboys’ offense includes quarterback Dak Prescott and has struggled to run the ball and produce explosive plays.
dallascowboys.com - First-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker has managed a defense affected by injuries and backups at key positions. Mike Pettine was added to advise the defense.
dallascowboys.com - DallasCowboys.com mailbag writers Nick and Patrik offered differing assessments of the defense’s progress.
Heavy NFL - Reported that Prescott threw four interceptions during the Cowboys’ offensive struggles.
WHAT:
azcardinals.com - Arizona held the Rams to 16 points and 200 yards of offense before the Rams’ final drive.
azcardinals.com - Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said the performance reminded him “in some aspects” of the team’s 2024 season, when Arizona went three consecutive home games without allowing a touchdown.
azcardinals.com - Safety Budda Baker played a versatile role and Arizona’s blitz was effective against the Rams.
raiders.com - The Raiders’ defense allowed at least 30 points in three consecutive games. Their second-half defense allowed 15.3 points, ranking 27th, and 184.5 total yards, ranking 28th.
raiders.com - Maxx Crosby had 35 pressures, second-most in the league, and 12 quarterback hits, third-most. The Raiders’ sack rate was 6.8% (13th) and pressure rate was 36.4% (17th).
dallascowboys.com - Dallas said four players were listed with injuries on Thursday’s practice report.
dallascowboys.com - Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team was investigating whether a root cause explained players’ hamstring injuries, but had not identified one.
dallascowboys.com - Dak Prescott said Dallas needed to win urgently to remain in contention for a winning season and playoff berth, adding, “We can only say ‘we've got a lot of games in front of us’ for so long.”
dallascowboys.com - Prescott said defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who had spent two years in Philadelphia, provided insights for Dallas’ game planning against the Eagles.
dallascowboys.com - No NFC East team had won in the preceding two weeks; the Giants and Commanders had tied in Week 5.
dallascowboys.com - Dallas was 2-4 and ranked 31st in rushing yards per game, averaging 76 yards. Prescott said a stronger run game could create play-action opportunities and explosive plays.
dallascowboys.com - The Eagles used four or fewer pass rushers on 75.9% of plays, the fifth-highest rate in the league; Prescott expected them to blitz more than usual.
dallascowboys.com - Durant was listed as limited in practice. Dallas ranked 23rd in passing yards allowed per game, at 232.7, and linebacker Dee Winters recorded the defense’s first interception of the season.
dallascowboys.com - Dallas scored 29 total points in consecutive losses to the Buccaneers and Packers.
dallascowboys.com - Last season, Dallas ranked second in the NFL in yards and seventh in points; it currently ranks 13th in yards per game.
dallascowboys.com - Jones said Dallas had the personnel and structure to address its offensive problems. Schottenheimer said the team had reviewed the reasons for its struggles and remained “a good explosive offense with weapons.”
dallascowboys.com - Dallas was set to face the Eagles on Monday night; the Eagles ranked 27th in yards allowed per game, at 363.8.
dallascowboys.com - Nick said Dallas had signed more free agents than in several years, traded for Gary, added Von Miller, and used most of its draft resources on defense, including one of the draft’s most coveted players.
dallascowboys.com - Patrik said Dallas’ defense had improved over its last three games, beginning with Houston, and had given the offense a chance to win each game.
WHERE:
dallascowboys.com - Prescott described Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field as a particularly hostile road environment for Dallas.
dallascowboys.com - Jones spoke with 105.3 The Fan; the Cowboys are based in Frisco, Texas.
dallascowboys.com - The upcoming opponent was the Philadelphia Eagles.
WHY:
dallascowboys.com - Jones said defenses had a full season of film on Dallas’ offense, making adjustments necessary as opponents studied the team and changed their defensive approach.
dallascowboys.com - Patrik attributed defensive challenges during the opening six games to Parker being a new coordinator and injuries forcing him to use backups at key positions.
dallascowboys.com - Nick said the defensive performance was disappointing despite offseason moves intended to improve it, and cited the lack of a consistent pass rush as well as secondary injuries.
HOW:
azcardinals.com - Cardinals players and coaches discussed adversity and the defensive standard; linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. said the team reviewed the game-plan “why” together.
raiders.com - The Raiders’ defense emphasized limiting explosive plays, defined as runs of at least 10 yards and passes of at least 20 yards.
dallascowboys.com - Prescott said Dallas could address blitzes by communicating about hot routes and moving protection when needed.
dallascowboys.com - Jones said he prefers head coaches to oversee one side of the ball operationally and serve as coordinators; he said Schottenheimer’s experience working with Prescott and the offense supported his hiring.
dallascowboys.com - Schottenheimer said Dallas had not changed its offensive identity and could hurt opponents in multiple ways.
dallascowboys.com - Patrik said returning players and Pettine’s advisory help could build on the defense’s progress.
The Dallas Cowboys are trying to fix their offense before facing Philadelphia, with quarterback Dak Prescott stressing better communication against blitzes and a stronger running game. Dallas is 2-4, averaging 76 rushing yards per game, and Prescott has thrown four interceptions amid the struggles. He said receivers need to get the ball earlier, while the offensive line and running backs are taking responsibility for the ground game. Coach Brian Schottenheimer says he will keep calling plays, and owner Jerry Jones remains confident the staff can make adjustments. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was expected back against the Eagles, while cornerback Cobie Durant returned to practice. Meanwhile, Arizona’s defense held the Rams to 16 points and 200 yards before their final drive. Coach Mike LaFleur voiced confidence in coordinator Nick Rallis, as players said the unit must build on its performance.