The Dallas Cowboys have had a rough start to the 2024 season, currently sitting at 3-3 as they head into their bye week. This record is especially disappointing for a team that has boasted a consistent 12-5 finish over the past three seasons. While the record alone might not warrant panic, the manner in which the Cowboys have suffered their losses raises significant concerns.
Dallas has struggled defensively, ranking as the worst run defense in the NFL and allowing a staggering 119 points in their three defeats. The team’s inability to stop opponents on the ground and its overall defensive lapses have cast a shadow over the franchise’s aspirations this year.
However, the Cowboys are not alone in their struggles. Their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, are also grappling with issues, albeit with a slightly better record of 3-2. Despite their record, the Eagles have not performed well, particularly in the early stages of games. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky recently criticized the team on ‘Get Up,’ labeling them as “the least prepared football team in the NFL.”
“This is the least prepared football team in the NFL.”
—@danorlovsky7 on the Eagles 👀 pic.twitter.com/SzTfCA02QK
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 17, 2024
Orlovsky highlighted two alarming statistics to support his assertion. First, the Eagles have amassed a mere 22 yards during their opening drives over five games. Additionally, they are the only team that has yet to score points in the first quarter this season. With star players like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and Dallas Goedert, this lack of offensive production is puzzling.
Orlovsky attributed these struggles to coaching, stating, “How you finish games is really about players. How you start games is really about coaching.” This sentiment resonates given the Eagles’ offseason changes. After their disappointing end to the previous season, which followed a 10-1 start, Philadelphia fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
The Eagles opted to bring in Kellen Moore as the offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as the defensive coordinator, yet it’s clear that the expected improvements have not materialized. As the struggles continue, the focus of criticism seems to rest squarely on the coaching staff.
As the Cowboys and Eagles both look to recover from disappointing starts, the pressure mounts on their respective coaches to turn things around. With both teams facing pivotal moments in their seasons, it will be fascinating to see how they address their issues in the coming weeks. For Cowboys fans, the hope is that a strong performance after the bye week can reignite their season, while Eagles supporters are left wondering if the changes made will finally yield the desired results.
