Cowboys risk wasting Prescott's MVP-caliber season

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Cowboys risk wasting Dak Prescott's MVP-caliber season amid defensive struggles

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 4:56 PM ET

The defensively-challenged Dallas Cowboys wasted many of former Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo's productive seasons. Now, they're squandering one of Dak Prescott's.

Through six starts, Prescott ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (1,617), passing touchdowns (13) and QBR (79.2). Dallas' defensive struggles have overshadowed his roaring start.

Heading into Sunday's home game against the Washington Commanders, Dallas (2-3-1) has allowed the most yards in the NFL (411.7) and the second-most points (30.7). Consequently, Prescott has the worst score (-31) in the QB Betrayal Index of The Athletic's Mike Sando.

Sando's system measures the difference between a QB's EPA (expected points) and his defense/special teams' EPA to calculate the score. Romo had a score of -41 between 2012 and 2021 (min. 30 combined regular-season and playoff starts), tied for the third-worst mark during that span.

With Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus searching for answers, Prescott could continue to experience a season similar to many of Romo's.

Matt Eberflus discusses defensive struggles

Per ESPN's Todd Archer, on Thursday, Eberflus said, "We know the solution is in the room" and "Nothing is off the table." But the changes will be "subtle."

Matt Eberflus: “we know the solution is in the room,” and, “Nothing is off the table,” but said the changes would be more subtle than big when it comes to the struggling defense.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 16, 2025

The truth may be that the coach faces roster issues he can't solve. Before the start of the season, the Cowboys dealt standout defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, leaving them with few quality defensive players. The unit still features cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, but they're not run-stoppers, which the Cowboys clearly need.

Dallas ranks 29th in rushing yards allowed (142.2) and surrendered a season-high 216 rushing yards in a 30-27 Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Third-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown — who had the second-most tackles (90) on the team last season — could return in Week 11 from a knee injury suffered in 2024. Owner Jerry Jones has indicated the LB's impending return won't preclude the team from making a move before the Nov. 4 trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

Prescott needs Jones to make amends for the Parsons trade by making a splash at the deadline. His odds of winning his first league MVP could improve if he does.

Prescott is averaging more passing yards per game (269.5) than in 2023 (265.6), when he finished second in MVP voting behind Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. The Cowboys, however, went 12-5 that season. With another inept defense, don't expect the team to come close to that record.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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