For the first time this season, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led his team to a 34-14 victory in Week 3. The QB, who took a league-high 68 sacks in his rookie season, wasn’t sacked at all during the game. He threw four touchdowns with no interceptions and racked up a 94 Total QBR. Impressive? Or did the Dallas Cowboys lack what it took to stop the Bears?

Mina Kimes believes that the Cowboys are making the opponent’s QB look good. By that, Kime pointed out the issues with the Dallas QB and the defense without defensive end Micah Parsons. “Right now, the Cowboys’ defense is allowing a QBR of 80. That’s the worst in the NFL,” she said in a conversation on The First Take.

“To put that in perspective, Lamar (Jackson) is 78, Josh Allen is 75. They’re making everyone who plays them better than Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. And there’s only one person to blame for this. It’s Jerry Jones. It was the most predictable outcome that the defense would fall apart. Because when Micah Parsons didn’t play while he was on the team, the defense fell apart. This was no mystery. If I’m a Cowboys fan, I’m furious at Jerry Jones,” she explained why the Cowboys’ frustration over the blockbuster deal that saw Parsons go to the Green Bay Packers.

The trade came after a months-long dispute over a contract extension between the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, and the player. The Packers, boosted by Parsons’ impressive defense, took long strides with back-to-back wins before taking a loss to the Browns. The same can’t be said of the Cowboys.

Jones dealt Parsons to bring back defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. Since the trade, Dallas’ defense has slipped, giving up 30.7 points per game through the first three weeks.

The Dallas’ defense gave up 95 points across its last three games. In contrast, the Packers, boosted by Micah Parsons, lead the NFL in scoring defense, giving up just 14.7 points per game entering Week 4. There were issues with communication and liability to pressure the opponents’ quarterback. While the team can’t bring Parsons’ replacement just yet, Jones and coach Brian Schottenheimer brought some help for the defense by bringing linebacker Jadevon Clowney. But the question is how much his potential could impact the Cowboys.

As Kimes pointed out, fans’ frustration likely heightened when Jones left Super Bowl opportunities on the table. “Jerry Jones isn’t running this team to win a Super Bowl,” Ryan Clark criticised the Cowboys owner. “He’s running this team to have it be talked about. Running this team to have it in the tabloids. Running this team to have it be a reality show and a soap opera, not to be an actual contender.” That is some serious talk about the Jones ownership. But is it fair or the truth?

Jones’ optimism didn’t sit right with many as they watched the defense struggle to hold its ground.

Dak Prescott talks about the team’s defense

The contract drama has brought more hype to the Packers vs. Cowboys game. While Parsons is concerned about sacking his former teammate, quarterback Dak Prescott, and even his family, are looking forward to the matchup.

But for the Cowboys’ QB, the focus remains on his own game. “It takes all of us to protect, myself included,” the QB said. “We all know that. Nothing changes this week. He’s a helluva player. We respect that, and he’ll have some attention.”

He has been sacked only five times in three games. But the Cowboys face their toughest challenge in Week 4, with the quarterback missing two starting offensive linemen. Right guard Tyler Booker, out with an ankle injury, and center Cooper Beebe, sidelined by a foot injury. To make matters worse, he’ll also be without wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is dealing with an ankle sprain.

The Cowboys’ defense has struggled early this season, giving up four sacks and allowing 13 pass plays of 25 yards or more. So, he believes that this game isn’t about him vs. Parsons. “Those are never the headlines and never can be,” he said. While the drama continues to spark a new wave of curiosity with every move, Prescott says it ended right after the trade. For him, it’s “This is Dallas Cowboys vs. the Green Bay Packers.” “And we’ve got to go get a win,” he said.

But Prescott made it clear he doesn’t expect this game to end the conversation about the trade. “Hey, you got to ask Jerry or Micah. To me, the closure happened when the trade happened,” Prescott said.

Jones’ leadership and decision-making will remain under the microscope as the Cowboys’ season unfolds. The question now is whether strategic tweaks can mask the defensive drop-off and if Brian Schottenheimer can adjust enough to overcome the loss of key pieces.