The Dallas Cowboys are still thinking about last week’s embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers. Running back Rico Dowdle tore through their defense with 183 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards, and a touchdown on five catches. With the Washington Commanders up next, Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus isn’t hiding how serious the situation is.

While breaking down the Commanders’ offense, Eberflus said, “It’s an explosive offense, it’s a wide-open offense. Obviously, they’re doing a heck of a job running the football. It’s important that you have your pieces in place, it’s important that you mix your calls, you’ve got to be able to do that, and he’s done a really good job there with the young quarterback. It’s going to be a big challenge.”

The Cowboys’ defense has looked confused for weeks. They’re missing tackles, blowing assignments, and flat-out guessing on key downs. As Trevon Diggs admitted earlier this week, it feels like this defense doesn’t have an identity. And when your top corner is openly questioning who you are as a unit, that’s never a good sign in Big D.

Of course, part of the issue comes down to personnel. Losing Micah Parsons was a massive blow. Trading away a pass rusher of that caliber was always going to hurt. Yet, even beyond Parsons’ absence, the problems run deeper. This defense lacks direction, chemistry, and confidence.

It’s not just about who’s missing; it’s about who’s not stepping up. And the numbers back it up, brutally.

Through six weeks, the Cowboys are giving up 30.7 points per game, the second-most in the league. They’re dead last in total yards allowed (428.7) and passing yards surrendered (269.5), and third-worst in rushing yards allowed (142.2).

To make matters worse, opponents are converting 53.2% of their third downs, the worst rate in football. If Eberflus can’t fix it soon, the Star might be shining for all the wrong reasons.

Matt Eberflus stays positive

According to Matt Eberflus, there’s still a path to fixing what’s broken.

“It’s a we solution. Us doing it together,” Eberflus said. “Obviously, we’re disappointed. It’s not to our standard how we played last week. We know the solution is in the room… You look at everything when the performance is not up to standard. Nothing is off the table.” His message?

Stay united, stay accountable, and fix it from within. Still, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow at his optimism.

The Cowboys are sitting near the bottom of almost every defensive category in the league. So, when Eberflus talks about a simple fix, it feels a bit too hopeful. The problems look deeper, systemic even, not something a single tweak can patch up overnight.

Even so, Eberflus insists that the standard hasn’t changed. But that’s exactly the issue, the “standard” has been the same all year long, and it hasn’t been good enough. Yet, he’s clinging to what he sees as progress. He points to the defensive line as a group starting to build an identity, though he’s quick to admit the job isn’t close to finished.

“I still think we’re working. I do think that up front, I think we have an identity, that’s good. The guys are coming off the ball and doing that… it’s important that we keep working, keep finding solutions for what works best for the guys that we have.”

Encouraging words, sure. But after six shaky weeks, whether this turnaround happens in time is anyone’s guess.