The Dallas Cowboys are a weird mix this season. On one hand, Matt Eberflus‘ defense has its holes, and the offense with Dak Prescott under center is sharp but far from elite. On the other hand, this is the same team that can challenge the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener or trade blows in a 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers, a legitimate playoff contender.

Yet, just as quickly, they can completely collapse, losing 31-14 to the Chicago Bears or squeaking by in a sloppy 30-27 defeat to the Carolina Panthers. It’s a curious case of inconsistency, with moments of brilliance paired with head-scratching lapses that make it hard to predict what they’ll do week to week.

And right after the Week 6 loss to the Panthers, the Cowboys’ legend, Michel Irvin, didn’t shy away from criticizing his former team’s offense and defense. “I was trying to find some glory in the offense. But I saw an offense today that when needed most, it was a horrific series,” Irvin ranted.

“You got a chance right now to at least put three points on this board to make Carolina have to come back and score a touchdown to win or at least get you in overtime. Dallas takes first down, nowhere to go, Dak (Prescott) tries to check it down. They lose five yards. Dallas goes second down, nowhere to go, Dak tries to check it down. They lose seven yards. It’s third-and-12. They you do a dump off and punt the ball.”

Many would argue that the Cowboys’ offense was sharp against the Panthers, and rightfully so. Prescott put up another strong outing, as the quarterback completed 25-of-34 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. On the receiving side, George Pickens had the best game of the season so far, as the wideout caught 9 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown.

But what actually bothered Irvin was that the Cowboys struggled to take a lead on their final possession of the ball. With over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 27-27, and the Cowboys had possession. And here’s how things actually went down:

• 1st-and-10 at Dallas 46: Prescott completed a pass short left to his RB Javonte Williams for a loss of 5 yards. Tackled by the Panthers’ Tre’Von Moehrig at the Dallas 41.
• 2nd-and-15 and Dallas 41: Prescott completed a pass short left to Williams for a loss of 7 yards and was tackled by Trevin Wallace.
• 3rd-and-22 at Dallas 34: Prescott completed a pass short right to Hunter Luepke for 4 yards. Tackled by Chau Smith-Wade at the Dallas 38.
• Punt on 4th-and-18 at Dallas 38: Bryan Anger punts to the Panthers’ 14 and Hunter Renfrow makes a fair catch.

Prescott and the boys probably thought they’d get the ball back with just over six minutes left, but that punt ended up being the Cowboys’ final drive. If they’d managed to take the lead there, Carolina would’ve been the ones scrambling, needing a field goal to tie or a touchdown just to win.

Instead, the opportunity slipped away. The Panthers burned out the clock and managed to haul in a game-winning field goal as the time expired. Final score: 30-27. The Cowboys lost.

Michael Irvin didn’t go easy on the defense either

The Cowboys’ defense showed up with the same flat performance in Week 6 against the Panthers. Nothing had really improved. Eberflus’ unit looked downright awful, which explains why Michael Irvin didn’t hold back in calling them out.

“I’ve never seen a defense that gives up more big plays than this defense,” Irvin bluntly said. “This is way worse than bad. This is in some other stratosphere. Rick (Dowdle) called his shot. Rick Dowdle called his shot, told him to buckle up, strap up, and then got in the game and rushed up 200 yards again. Every time they handed him the ball, he was running 10 yards. It was that embarrassing. Absolutely embarrassing to watch them get dominated like that in a run game.”

The Cowboys traded Rico Dowdle earlier this offseason. And when he got the opportunity to suit up against his former team, he made every moment memorable. We’re talking about over 200 scrimmage yards. He rushed for 183 yards on 30 carries, while also grabbing 4 receptions for 56 yards. The Cowboys’ defense, meanwhile, struggled to contain him.

Dallas allowed 410 total yards, with the Panthers scoring 194 through the air and 216 on the ground. They allowed 27 first downs and could sack Bryce Young just once. Long story short: While the Cowboys’ defensive issues were common this season, Michael Irvin isn’t much thrilled with the offense as well.