FRISCO, Texas – Not much went according to plan at 3-7 Dallas Cowboyswho are off to their worst 10-game start since 2020, when they also started 3-7.
They are in the midst of a five-game losing streak, their longest losing streak since the 2015 season. That was the year before Dallas drafted the running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott. One of the Cowboys' biggest flaws was the depth of their defensive line, particularly at their edge rusher position. The team allowed both Dorance Armstrong (three years, $33 million) and Dante Fowler Jr. (one year, $3.25 million) are heading into free agency, and both followed former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders where he was hired as head coach. The Cowboys' thinking was that the 2022 second-round pick would be Sam Williams and the 2024 second-round pick would be Marshawn Kneeland would follow in their footsteps behind the four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence and three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons.
Williams tore his ACL in training camp and Kneeland returned to the Cowboys' walkthrough on Wednesday as a limited participant after missing Dallas' last five games because of a meniscus injury in his knee. Lawrence remains on injured reserve due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 4 New York Giants are one of the reasons the Cowboys' scoring defense went from fifth-best in 2023 (18.5 points per game allowed) to second-worst in 2024 (29.3 points per game allowed). McCarthy is hoping for the best for his former players — except when he faces them on Sunday in Week 12 and Week 18. Fowler's eight and a half sacks this season are the fourth-most on the season This season, he is on pace to surpass his career high of 11.5 sacks set five years ago Los Angeles Rams.
“These guys took advantage of an opportunity that they felt they had to take,” McCarthy said Wednesday of Armstrong and Fowler. “Everyone has a different situation. I'm proud of these guys. They play very well. Dante is a hit on the charts. DA is so damn consistent in the way he plays. I saw the video I saw of him. “I’m very impressed. The financial component changes your team every year. I’m glad they’re getting a great opportunity like shit Sunday.”
