The Dallas Cowboys’ struggles hit a new low Monday night, as the team suffered a 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans, extending their home losing streak to a franchise-record six games. AT&T Stadium, once a fortress for the Cowboys, is now marked by empty seats and a noticeable increase in opposing team fans.
For a franchise that prides itself on being “America’s Team,” the sight of sparsely filled stands and an atmosphere dominated by Texans supporters raised eyebrows. Owner Jerry Jones, however, seemed unfazed when asked about the apparent fan apathy, instead pointing to the team’s historical regular-season success as evidence of brighter days ahead.
Jerry Jones Deflects Criticism
Addressing the state of the franchise, Jones dismissed the significance of empty seats and redirected the conversation to the team’s long-term achievements.
“(Over the last 25 years), we’ve been the sixth-winningest team in the NFL. In the last 15 years, we’re the fifth-winningest team in the NFL,” Jones said. “We haven’t been to the championship playoff game. We haven’t been to a Super Bowl, but we’ve been (hanging) around that rim. And we’ve been up there with the best of them.”
Despite the glaring postseason drought of nearly three decades, Jones doubled down on his belief in the team’s trajectory.
“Rest assured we’ll be figuring out ways to look for what we’re doing wrong and improve on that,” Jones added. “The bottom line is that we’ve got to get better. We will get better. There are better days ahead.”
Jerry Jones not having any fun watching the Texans hammer his Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/T1BylkfWun
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) November 19, 2024
Fans Are Losing Patience
At 3-7, the Cowboys are not only on the brink of playoff elimination but are also enduring one of the worst stretches in recent memory. The record-setting home losing streak, marked by blowout defeats, has left fans questioning the direction of the team.
For years, AT&T Stadium was considered one of the toughest venues for opposing teams, thanks to the fervor of the fanbase. But as losses pile up, the once-electric atmosphere has faded, replaced by noticeable apathy and frustration.
Some fans believe financial pressure could finally force Jones to act, as empty seats and declining revenue often lead to significant changes in professional sports.
One thing Cowboys games don’t normally have is a lot of empty seats. Check all the white towels 2 minutes into game. Oh and Mixon just scored from 36 yards out and the Texans fans (most of the crowd?) seem happy. pic.twitter.com/9p2nT4LnYq
— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) November 19, 2024
Is Change on the Horizon?
Jones has long been resistant to sweeping changes, opting instead to remain loyal to his vision and hand-picked personnel. However, with the Cowboys’ struggles becoming a national talking point and their home-field advantage effectively gone, the calls for a shake-up—whether in the coaching staff or roster construction—are growing louder.
For now, Jones remains optimistic about the team’s future, but the question remains: how much longer can the Cowboys afford to lean on their history while their present continues to disappoint?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones when asked on @1053thefan about empty seats at AT&T Stadium Monday night, a large amount of Texans fans and Cowboys fans with bags over their heads: “I’ve seen it with most teams. I think that certainly our fans are avid. I’m disappointed that we’re…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 19, 2024
