The Dallas Cowboys are reeling after a 3-7 start to the season, their worst 10-game performance since 2020. With a five-game losing streak weighing heavily, head coach Mike McCarthy faces mounting challenges, including a defensive line that has struggled without key contributors.
Among the offseason losses, the departures of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. to the Washington Commanders have been particularly glaring. Both players followed former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to Washington, where they’ve thrived under his leadership. Fowler currently ranks fourth in the NFL with 8.5 sacks, while Armstrong has continued his consistent play.
Defensive Depth Woes for Dallas
The Cowboys had hoped to fill the void left by Armstrong and Fowler with younger players like Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland. However, injuries have derailed those plans. Williams tore his ACL during training camp, and Kneeland has missed the last five games with a meniscus injury. DeMarcus Lawrence, a cornerstone of the defensive line, has also been sidelined since Week 4 with a foot injury.
These setbacks have contributed to a dramatic drop in Dallas’ defensive performance. After ranking fifth in scoring defense in 2023 (18.5 points per game allowed), they’ve plummeted to 31st in 2024, giving up 29.3 points per game.
McCarthy’s Mixed Emotions
McCarthy acknowledged the impact Armstrong and Fowler are making in Washington but couldn’t help but hope for a subpar performance from his former players when the Cowboys face the Commanders in Week 12.
“Those guys went with an opportunity that they felt they needed to do,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “Everybody’s situation is different. I’m proud of those guys. They’re playing very well. Dante’s off the charts. DA is so damn consistent in the way he’s played. The video I’ve seen of him, I’ve been very impressed. … I’m happy that they got a great opportunity, and I hope they play like shit Sunday.”
A Crucial Matchup
Sunday’s game represents a critical test for the Cowboys as they look to snap their losing streak and salvage what remains of their season. Meanwhile, Armstrong and Fowler will aim to prove their value on a Washington team that has emerged as a surprising playoff contender under Quinn’s leadership.
For McCarthy, the challenge lies in finding a way to contain his former players while navigating a depleted defensive unit. Whether Dallas can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but the stakes couldn’t be higher as the Cowboys look to rewrite the narrative of their season.
