It was just a one-week thing… or at least that’s what some might say. A decent Dallas Cowboys‘ defense is what we’re talking about here. After a dominant Week 5 win over the New York Jets, the Cowboys seemed like clear favorites heading into Week 6 on the road against the Carolina Panthers.

But while Dak Prescott and the offense looked sharp, almost elite, the same can’t be said for Matt Eberflus’ defense. Against the Panthers, it was downright atrocious, and to put it in perspective, it’s been shaky across the league this season. Calls to fire the defensive coordinator were loud after the Cowboys’ 30-27 loss.

However, after the game, the first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked if he had the personnel to run Eberflus’ defensive scheme. His response? Simple and blunt: “Yeah, absolutely. No question about it.” At this point, Schottenheimer seems to be offering words of wisdom more than criticism for his DC.

But the way the Cowboys’ defense has been playing, it even got Dallas legend Michael Irvin fired up. He tweeted, “I have never seen an @NFL defense with so many people running WIDE OPEN!!!! 🤷🏾🤷🏾 @dallascowboys.”

The Cowboys had no answer for their former running back, Rico Dowdle. Had Jerry Jones not traded him to the Panthers earlier this year, his performance might not have stung. But when he rushed for 183 yards on 30 carries and tallied 56 yards on 4 receptions through the air, the signs looked clear: The Cowboys’ front seven-slash-Schottenheimer’s personnel failed to contain the RB.

The Panthers piled up 410 total yards (194 through the air and 216 on the ground). To make matters worse, Eberflus’ defensive play-calling late in the fourth quarter let Carolina drain the clock, sealing the Cowboys’ fate in a 30-27 loss. Having said that, the Cowboys’ defense has allowed over 30 points in half of their games after six weeks. And in the process, Matt Eberflus’ defense is letting an MVP-level performance from Prescott go to waste.

Brian Schottenheimer hopes the players believe in Matt Eberflus’ scheme

Against the Panthers, Prescott completed 25-of-24 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. On top of that, George Pickens, in CeeDee Lamb’s absence, was efficient as well. The wideout caught 9 receptions for 168 yards while also racking up one touchdown. But it’s the defense that’s holding Dallas from winning the games.

Right after the Cowboys walked out of Bank of America Stadium, with another poor defense, Brian Schottenheimer was asked if the players believe in the defensive scheme. The head coach wasn’t confident. “That’s the bigger thing. I would hope so. I would think so,” Schottenheimer said. The Cowboys’ defense struggled throughout the game.

Take Eberflus’ questionable call, for instance.

Late in the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 27-27. The Panthers were facing fourth-and-four from the Dallas 40, and it was all on the Cowboys’ defense to make a stand. But then came Eberflus’ questionable call. He had DaRon Bland lined up eight yards off Hunter Renfrow, already backpedaling before the snap. Easy pitch-and-catch. First down. And from there, Carolina just ran the clock out and sealed a 30-27 win.

On top of that, Schottenheimer’s doubt whether the players believe in the defensive scheme is understandable. After all, earlier this month, the team’s cornerback, Trevon Diggs, demanded that Eberflus use more man coverage than zone coverage.

“I wouldn’t say [zone coverage is] more complex, but when you’re playing man, you’re right there with the person,” Diggs said. “As the weeks have been coming, [playing zone] has been way easier, way easier. I feel like we’re on our way to getting the ball and being on our way to making plays.”

That said, the noise outside to fire the DC is already getting louder. And while it’s unlikely, we’ll see if the Cowboys’ defense bounces back next week.