Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Stubborn Matt Eberflus refuses to give Cowboys top performers more snaps

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Randy Gurzi | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 9:23 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys defense was far better in Week 5 than we’ve seen all season. They surrendered 22 points in the win over the New York Jets, but 16 of those came when the game was out of reach.

Before the garbage time numbers, Dallas held Justin Fields and the New York offense in check. Most importantly, they finally got plenty of pressure on the quarterback.

Fields was sacked five times with James Houston leading the way with 1.5. That gives him 3.5 on the season, which is the most on the team after five games.

That’s why it’s hard to understand why defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is distributing snaps the way he is. On Sunday, for example, Houston had the fewest snaps of any defensive end.

DE/Edge snap counts for the #Cowboys vs. the Jets:

- Donovan Ezeiruaku (46)
- Sam Williams (38)
- Dante Fowler (35)
- Jadeveon Clowney (32)
- James Houston (27)
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 6, 2025

To be fair, all were playing well, especially Dante Fowler who was credited with five hits on the quarterback. That said, it’s reminiscent of when he refused to give snaps to Marist Liufau early in the season.

Once Liufau was allowed more time on the field, he began making plays. That included forcing a fumble on Sunday when he punched the ball out of Breece Hall’s hands.

Hopefully, Eberflus will see the light here as well and eventually give Houston more playing time.