The Cowboys snuck past the Texans 34-30 last Sunday, a come-from-behind win in Houston that certainly boosted their power rankings, but it didn’t hide the glaring cracks in their game. Experts are totally split on if this was a true contender moment or just another temporary high in what some are already calling “another rollercoaster season.” The offense, for sure, is lighting up the scoreboard, but that defense? Hoo boy.
Dak and CeeDee Are Cooking, But What About George Pickens?
Look, the Cowboys offense is absolutely firing on nearly all cylinders. Dak Prescott is playing like he wants to be in the MVP conversation, and CeeDee Lamb is straight up possessed. We just saw him make history with 17 catches for 189 yards, including the game-winning touchdown with 40 seconds left against the Texans. Only six times in NFL history has a player had more catches in a game! And he’s the only Cowboy ever with 17 catches and 170 yards in a single game. Plus, with All-Pro guard Tyler Smith coming back, that unit should only get better. They’ve dropped at least 31 points in three of their four games. That’s a good sign, right?
But here’s a side note, because we watch everything: George Pickens’s numbers are starting to trend down, and that’s something to keep an eye on. Is it just a blip, or a deeper issue? We’ll see.
The Defense Is Still A Train Wreck, And Power Rankers Are Noticing
Here’s the rub, the big problem: The Cowboys defense is still holding this team back, big time. New names, higher salaries, but every single week it’s the same story. Too many yards, too many big plays, too many points allowed. Giving up 30 points and almost 400 yards to the *winless* Texans? Come on, that’s not gonna cut it. It’s time for those “marquee names” on defense to actually start playing like stars.
ESPN slotted them at No. 12, up three spots, saying the defense is “still a work in progress,” letting opponents score at least 20 points in all four games. NFL.com moved them to No. 8, up three, but noted the “D in Dallas stands for dichotomy,” highlighting an “incredibly explosive offense” but also a “leaky defense” and admitting they’re “highly concerned about their defensive liabilities.” The Athletic, putting them at No. 14, asked the question we’re all thinking: “The defense can’t be this bad, can it?” They pointed out that giving up 30 points and nearly 400 yards to Houston is “not a great sign.” Yahoo Sports, who has them at No. 12, agreed the “big defensive prob” is still there.
This team’s start looks a lot like their up-and-down 7-9-1 run from 2025, according to ESPN. A win is a win, sure, and it boosted them into the top 10 for some, but everyone’s pointing out the same problem.
So, what’s next for Dallas? They’ve got games coming up against the winless Tampa Bay and a struggling Green Bay. They absolutely need to show some progress on that defensive side of the ball. The offense can’t bail them out every single time, can it?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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