The Dallas Cowboys: How the Mediocre Have Fallen

If you find yourself being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys these days, any multitude of persuasions could have led to your commitment. Maybe you live in Texas. Perhaps you were born into it. It could be that you just like the cheerleaders. Is it possible you simply enjoy suffering? One persuasion it is most certainly not is that you’re on the bandwagon for their recent success.

The Cowboys can’t wake up from their nightmare where they’re falling from a cliff. The reality, though, is that their cliff isn’t very tall. In fact, it probably doesn’t qualify as a cliff at all.

Defensive Swiss Cheese

Through the first six games of the 2026 NFL season (2–4 record), the Cowboys continue to struggle near the bottom of the league in almost every major defensive and ground game category. While they did seem to show some improvement against Green Bay, they were ultimately just a dumbed down version of what could have been. It was the equivalent of an elderly security guard’s effort to halt a crimewave. It wasn’t enough. Below are the key team statistical areas where Dallas still ranks among the absolute worst in the NFL:

• Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % | 54.7% allowed | 32nd (Worst in NFL) |
• Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game | 149.8 Yards/G (899 total) | 32nd (Worst in NFL) |
• Yards Allowed Per Play | 6.0 Yards/Play | 32nd (Worst in NFL) |
• Opponent Average Time of Possession | 3:14 per drive | 32nd (Worst in NFL) |
• Total Yards Allowed Per Game | 382.5 Yards/G | 30th |
• Yards Allowed Per Pass Attempt | 7.4 Net Yds/Att | 31st |
• Points Allowed Per Game | 26.5 PPG | 25th |

Molasses Rushing Attack

Marty Schottenheimer was known for “Marty Ball”. It was a offensive scheme hellbent on coming at teams with the overwhelmingly tedious rushing attack. It also relied on stout defense. But his son Brian, the Cowboys’ coach and offensive play caller, must have rebelled against the idea of it. While Dak Prescott and the passing offense rank in the top tier (ranking 2nd in completed passes and 6th in passing yards), the ground game is struggling significantly:

• Rushing Carries Per Game | 20.3 Att/G (122 total) | 32nd (Worst in NFL) |
• Rushing Yards Per Game | 76.0 Yards/G (456 total) | 31st |
• Yards Per Carry | 3.7 Yards/Carry | 23rd |

Turnover Drought

• Takeaways: Dallas’s defense has generated only 3 takeaways (1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries) through 6 games, ranking 30th in the NFL.
• Turnover Margin: With 7 offensive giveaways against only 3 defensive takeaways, their -4 turnover differential ranks near the bottom of the league.

Data source: Pro-Football-Reference (2026 NFL Regular Season, Weeks 1–6).

Dissecting the Oblivious

Schotty was attempting to block his playcalling mouth with the play card. Yet the camera kept finding another angle. Or he wasn’t holding the card high enough. Lip readers, anyone? It seemed that every time they panned in on his face calling plays, they got stuffed, hurried or stopped. Then again, that seems to be the theme lately.

Prescott was heckled by an employee after last week’s loss. In that one they allowed an undrafted rookie quarterback on a winless team to dominate them at home in prime time. While Prescott can’t be logically blamed that, or for all the recent interceptions, we can find some other things. He hasn’t been taking shots downfield. He rarely uses his legs when there is an opening in the pocket. And yes, the Packers cleverly disguised their blitzers. But it usually doesn’t take an 11-year veteran to misread blitzes that accurately. A rewarding practice is to throw toward the blitzing side (see Jordan Love).

There’s Always Next Season

The New York Giants have a whopping one-game lead in the division. They lost their quarterback for the season. The Philadelphia Eagles are on a four-game slide with an injured quarterback. Still, they have the same 2-4 record as the Boys. The Washington Commanders are only two games out, and they’ve already recovered their injured quarterback. It is a year where the NFL doesn’t fear the NFC East. And even amongst the pillow-soft, there appears to be no upward movement from the Cowboys. They so far have the only uninjured QB in the division. But the season is far from over. It could get better, but it will probably stay the course.

So, if you still think they’re Superbowl bound, you’ve got an optimism that can’t be ignored. If you still think the best is yet to come, that’s a possibility. But you’re likely in for a disappointment. Our advice is, if you want to enjoy the season, just lower your expectations and embrace the s*** show.

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