Cowboys DC is safe for now – WHY?

Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer says that Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus’ job is in no danger. Does he not want to win?

So, if you’ve watched a single defensive snap from Dallas this year, you know that this defense couldn’t stop an ice cube from melting in an igloo. DC Matt Eberflus has led us to the 31st and 32nd ranks in yards per game and points per game, respectively, through 6 weeks. 

After the embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer was interviewed and said, "He's a damn good football coach. We're gonna ride this thing out, and we'll play better.” 

I’m sorry. What?

Sure, Eberflus had a couple decent defenses as a Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach. However, in the last four years (counting the first third of this season) Eberflus has led three bottom-five defenses in yards per game (!!!!), and two bottom-two defenses in points allowed per game (!!!!!). It’s been since 2021 that one of his defenses cracked the top-10 in either category, when he was DC for Indianapolis. 

The entire defensive scheme is to run zone coverage for the ENTIRE game. Our secondary, which buy-and-large has been together for a number of years, thrived in Dan Quinn’s man-to-man scheme. We have ball hawks as both boundary corners, who have played at all-pro levels in single coverage. They never played this much zone in the years we set records for turnovers. Plus, we also no longer have any pass rush. If any QB has forever in the pocket, they can find someone open. 

OH, AND THEN! We also are the 25th ranked rush defense. Last week, Cowboy legend Rico Dowdle ran the ball THIRTY times for 183 yards (6.1 yards per carry). Again, likely from running zone defenses all day long (87.2%, CBS) and NEVER blitzing (22.4%, CBS). Taking everyone out of the box just doesn’t pay off in 2025. 

Oh, you thought it was over? Matt Eberflus is also a ridiculously bad playcaller. Last week, on 4th and 3, WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE, Eberflus realized that man coverage might be the answer. So, the genius dialed up a cover 0 defense! Straight up man coverage, no safety, everyone else rushes the QB. The caveat? Half of the defensive backs, including DaRon Bland in the SLOT was assigned to play 8 yards off the line of scrimmage. And, if you can believe it, Dallas only had ten men on the field!

He HAS to go. 

Go Cowboys.