Cowboys Recap

1. Matt Eberflus and the Defensive Staff

Coming into the season, I was willing to give Eberflus a pass. Installing a new defensive scheme while losing key players from the previous year isn’t easy, and early struggles were expected. But as the weeks went on, it became painfully clear that this wasn’t just growing pains — this was bad coaching.

There were no meaningful adjustments to a scheme that clearly did not fit the personnel. The same coverages, the same looks, the same predictable alignments were rolled out week after week, even as opposing offenses carved them up with ease. Good coaches adapt. This staff refused to.

Even worse was the complete lack of accountability. Missed tackles, blown assignments, poor communication — the same mistakes happened every single week with no consequences. If players aren’t being held responsible, that falls directly on the coaching staff.

By season’s end, this defense wasn’t just bad — it was historically awful. They got baked, fried, and embarrassed on a weekly basis. The criticism they received was more than deserved, and honestly, it might not have been harsh enough.

2. Brian Schottenheimer’s Playcalling

Dak Prescott, Ceedee Lamb, and George Pickens all found their strides in this season and each respectively had terrific years by their standards. With a revamped run game, the Cowboys offense was a nuclear weapon waiting to be fired. Their coach treated them liked they were a pistol at times. Way too conservative in big moments, limiting the oppurtunites that they could have had. The reason for this is that he had faith in the Cowboys defense, for some reason, to come up and make a play when they needed them, so he would settle for the safe option in 3 points. Then the defense would promptly give up a TD on the next drive. Even in this last game, no reason to be punting on any down and distance. You won't make the playoffs, so why not go for it everytime?

3. Lack of Execution From the Players

As bad as the coaching was, the players are far from innocent.

Missed tackles. Dropped passes. Blown coverages. Mental errors. Poor effort. The Cowboys repeatedly beat themselves, especially in big moments. Talent was not the issue — discipline and focus were.

Great teams execute even when things aren’t perfect. This team folded under pressure. When adversity hit, mistakes multiplied instead of being cleaned up. Leaders didn’t lead, fundamentals slipped, and the margin for error disappeared.

At some point, pride has to kick in. Too often, it didn’t.