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While the Dallas Cowboys fans clamor for the removal of Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, the team clings to a 1% chance of making the playoffs. And here are the Cowboys most to blame for the brutal Sunday Night Football loss to the Vikings.
With the playoffs formerly within better reach, the Cowboys suffered their second straight loss. This one was a 34-26 decision against a Vikings team that put together an impressive offensive performance against the Cowboys’ struggling defense.
Let’s take a look at what went wrong.
After many poor performances throughout the season, J.J. McCarthy befuddled the Cowboys’ defense with a career-high 250 yards passing. He also hit for a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for another.
McCarthy said he’s feeling more comfortable, according to ESPN.
“I think just experience, getting to my eighth game and just feeling more and more comfortable in the pocket, seeing the defenses,” McCarthy said. “I’m just another piece of the puzzle.”
But the Cowboys were left seeking answers.
“Definitely surprised, especially (to) get rolling like we did for those few weeks, then watch the confidence just skyrocket,” Prescott said. “Stopping teams, scoring at will, coming back from 21 points (down), a lot of good wins there that, to be in this position just reminds you every play matters. It’s a hard game.”
And it has been particularly hard for Eberflus. And owner Jerry Jones isn’t a happy camper, according to The Athletic.
“The adjustments that we should be making (defensively) should be with these next three games in mind,” Jones said. “With three games left in the short time that we’ve got to play them in, then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching with the time frame we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.”
The Vikings entered averaging 279 yards per game, fifth-lowest in the NFL. They were averaging just 20 points per game, ranking them at No. 25. Against the Cowboys, they totaled 327 yards and their second-highest point total of the season.
“I’d like to play better defense, and at the end of the day, that’s what he does,” Jones said when asked about Eberflus. “From the standpoint, I know Matt, of course, individually, since he’s coached here for many, many years. But I thought we made some adjustments. They handled it pretty good.
“If you notice, the (Vikings defensive) style is that they get up, put a lot up (by the line of scrimmage) to look at, and then they mix it up, kind of take some out, and put some in, so to speak, while it’s all going on. We kind of do it different philosophically. Theirs won the day.”
Sounds like Eberflus won’t last much longer in Dallas. And the head coach didn’t offer support.
“I felt like we gave up too many explosives,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I think those are the things you...
