Midseason report card: Dallas Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles sit atop the NFC East, but the Dallas Cowboys aren’t far behind. Here’s how the Cowboys rate after their first eight games.
Offense: A
After averaging the fourth-most points (27.5) per game in 2022, head coach Mike McCarthy vowed to sacrifice points in search of a more balanced offense. Speaking to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, he said:
“I don’t desire to be the No. 1 offense in the league. I want to be the No. 1 team in the league with the number of wins and a championship. And if we’ve got to give up some production and take care of the ball a little better to get that, then that’s what we’ll do because we have a really good defense.”
So far the results have been good. Running back Tony Pollard is off to a slow start, but thanks to a career year from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and more disciplined throws from quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ 27.5 points per game are now third-most in 2023.
Defense: A
How good is the Dallas defense? Only two teams give up fewer yards per game than the Cowboys (the Browns and Ravens). With four interceptions and three touchdowns, cornerback DaRon Bland has been a revelation in relief of the injured Trevon Diggs.
Micah Parsons continues to dominate opponents with 31 tackles and 7.5 sacks. The third-year linebacker remains the favorite to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and should have even more success with games against the Giants, Panthers and Commanders up next.
Special Teams: B
Dallas has been dreadful returning punts with 6.5 yards per return. On kickoffs, the Cowboys average 24 yards per return, the 10th-best number in the league. If not for a missed extra point, kicker Brandon Aubrey would be having a perfect season. He’s made all 19 of his field goal attempts, including four from 50 yards or more.
Coaching: A
For those who worried about the head coach calling plays, it seems McCarthy didn’t forget everything he learned in Green Bay. The Cowboys came within four yards of taking a share of the NFC East last week, and if not for Prescott’s big toe on a failed two-point conversion, the game could’ve ended much differently.
Is McCarthy still on the hot seat? Of course, he works for Jerry Jones, but his team’s +72 point differential is the best number in the division and fourth-best in the entire NFL.
Extra Credit
Releasing Ezekiel Elliott had to be hard for Jones, but it was time for the team’s third all-time leading rusher to go. With 12 touchdowns in 2022, Dallas could’ve easily brought him back on a one-year, incentive-laden deal. He may have as many touchdowns as Pollard this season (2), but the offense runs much better with Elliott in New England.
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