The Dallas Cowboys’ trip to Denver didn’t go anything like they’d imagined. Armed with the league’s No. 1 offense, they came in hoping to finally snap a 30-year drought against the Broncos. Instead, things unraveled fast and badly. Denver’s defense gave Dallas fits all afternoon. The Broncos pressured Dak Prescott relentlessly, sacking him twice and recording six additional quarterback hits.

Needless to say, the defense being poor has been the talking point for weeks. Post-game, Jerry Jones was asked whether he still has confidence in defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus or not.

“He [Matt Eberflus] does know how to evaluate what he’s trying to do, and he’s a good coach at correcting mistakes and getting players in position. I’ve seen him take players and units and improve them as he coaches them. I’ve seen that more than once. He’s a good coach,” Jerry said to the reporters.

The Cowboys surrendered 426 total yards of offense in their Week 8 loss, a continuation of a troubling trend for a defense that had already been giving up just over 400 yards per game entering Sunday.

After signs of progress last week, Dallas found itself back at square one. The defense was gashed in multiple ways, most notably on the ground, where the Broncos piled up 179 rushing yards. But their biggest issue came on third down, where Denver converted 62% of its attempts, a brutal number for a unit already thinned by injuries.

Before Week 8, the Cowboys coaching staff had continued to back Eberflus, and the outside noise had quieted slightly after last week’s win. But following Sunday’s collapse, it’s no surprise that frustration is once again mounting among fans.

However, Jones seems confident despite it looking downhill.

Where did Dallas’ defense go wrong? 

The 44-22 win against the Washington Commanders was barely an outlier if we talk about the Cowboys’ defense. This season has been bleak for the unit that once defined the franchise’s identity as a championship winner. The numbers recorded by the players involved don’t paint a promising picture this year. 

As of Week 8, the defense has surrendered a total of 2,811 yards – 1,938 through the air and 989 on the ground – across its seven games so far. According to Pro Football Focus, the unit’s overall defensive grade has fallen to 61.8, a clear sign of regression compared to early-season expectations.

With 24 touchdowns scored against them and breakdowns happening in all phases, the Cowboys’ defense has looked flat-out overwhelmed. Part of the collapse stems from a wave of injuries that has robbed the team of leadership and chemistry. Key defenders like Trevon Diggs, Malik Hooker, and DeMarvion Overshown remain on injured reserve, leaving glaring holes in the secondary and at linebacker.

Meanwhile, with the Philadelphia Eagles sitting at 6-2 atop the NFC East, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes are starting to fade. Unlike last week, Jerry Jones didn’t heap praise on defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after Sunday’s loss. Instead, he credited head coach Brian Schottenheimer for the team’s in-game adjustments and effort. That subtle shift speaks volumes — Jones’ patience may be wearing thin. For now, he’s standing by his defensive coordinator, but that faith could evaporate fast if Dallas drops another one.