Dallas Cowboys’ Defense: A Modern-Day Sodom and Gomorrah of NFL Third-Down Failures, Doomed to Historical Infamy as They Spiral into Oblivion

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Dallas Cowboys’ Defense: A Modern-Day Sodom and Gomorrah of NFL Third-Down Failures, Doomed to Historical Infamy as They Spiral into Oblivion

The Dallas Cowboys have long been a symbol of excellence in the NFL, boasting a storied history filled with legendary players and championship victories. However, the 2025 season has taken a dark turn for the franchise, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Cowboys’ defense, once a formidable unit, is now on pace to achieve a record-worst third-down conversion percentage, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike.

The departure of Micah Parsons, a star linebacker traded to the Green Bay Packers, has left a gaping hole in the Cowboys’ defense. Parsons was not only a key player but also a leader on the field. His absence has been felt acutely as Dallas struggles to replicate his production. The team now finds itself allowing an alarming average of 31.3 points per game, ranking second in the league for points allowed. Furthermore, they are surrendering 404.6 yards per game, which places them second in total yards allowed, and they rank third in both rushing yards (146.0) and passing yards (258.6) allowed per game.

While these statistics are concerning, the most alarming aspect of the Cowboys’ defensive performance is their third-down conversion rate. Currently, Dallas is allowing opponents to convert on 54% of their third-down attempts. This figure is not only troubling but is also on track to break the NFL record for the worst third-down conversion rate, which stands at 51.9%. The implications of such a statistic are profound; it reflects a defense that is unable to get off the field and consistently allows drives to continue, putting immense pressure on the offense and leading to higher scores against them.

The Cowboys’ struggles were glaringly evident during their Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. In that game, the Cardinals faced a series of third-down situations early on, converting on several crucial attempts. Dallas managed to record five sacks during the game, demonstrating that they could pressure the quarterback. However, when it came to critical third-down scenarios, the Cowboys faltered. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer highlighted the team’s inability to sustain drives due to their poor performance on third down, stating that situational football was a significant factor in their loss.

The Cardinals’ first drive against Dallas showcased the Cowboys’ defensive woes. Arizona faced multiple third-down situations, including third-and-eight, third-and-10, and third-and-six. Despite the pressure applied by the Cowboys’ defense, the Cardinals converted on these attempts, including a defensive holding penalty that resulted in an automatic first down. By the end of the game, Arizona had converted 7 of 13 third downs, with a particularly disheartening stretch where they converted 7 of 9 attempts.

The Cowboys’ defensive issues are not merely a matter of bad luck or a few missed tackles; they reflect a deeper systemic problem. The team has been consistent in its inability to stop opponents on third down, leading to a historically poor performance. This trend raises questions about the coaching staff’s ability to adjust and adapt to the challenges presented by opposing offenses. The Cowboys’ defense has become predictable, allowing offenses to exploit weaknesses and convert crucial third downs with relative ease.

As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Cowboys are under pressure to make moves that could bolster their defense. The front office must consider whether to pursue additional talent or make strategic changes to the coaching staff. The upcoming bye week provides a critical opportunity for the team to regroup and reassess their defensive strategies. However, the question remains whether these changes can be implemented effectively in time to salvage the season.

The Cowboys’ remaining schedule features several challenging matchups, including games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Detroit Lions. Each of these opponents presents a unique challenge, and the Cowboys’ defense will need to find a way to improve if they hope to compete in the second half of the season. The pressure is mounting, and the stakes have never been higher for a franchise that prides itself on its legacy of success.

In the broader context of the NFL, the Cowboys’ struggles serve as a cautionary tale for teams that rely heavily on star players without adequately preparing for their potential departures. The loss of Parsons has exposed vulnerabilities within the defense, highlighting the importance of depth and adaptability in professional football. As the league continues to evolve, teams must be proactive in building resilient rosters capable of weathering the storms of injuries and trades.

The Cowboys’ current predicament also raises questions about the culture within the organization. A franchise with such a rich history should not find itself in a position where it is on pace for historical infamy. The leadership must foster an environment that encourages accountability and resilience, ensuring that players are prepared to step up when called upon.

As the 2025 season unfolds, the Dallas Cowboys face a critical juncture in their quest for redemption. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but the potential for growth and improvement remains. The question is whether the Cowboys can rise to the occasion and reclaim their status as a competitive force in the NFL or if they will continue to spiral into the depths of defensive despair. The answers lie in their ability to adapt, innovate, and ultimately overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.

Cowboys defensive struggles: Why Dallas is on pace for record-worst third-down conversion percentage originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Dallas Cowboys have been known for being a well-rounded team. Historically, Dallas has stars on both sides of the ball and can be counted on to be one of the most competitive teams in the NFL each year.

The Cowboys’ defense lost a star player ahead of the 2025 season when Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Parsons fell out of favor with the organization, but his production has been tough to replicate for Dallas over the first half of the regular season.

The Cowboys’ defense heads into Week 10 allowing the second-most points (31.3), second-most yards (404.6), third-most rushing yards (146.0), and third-most passing yards per game (258.6). 

While those are all bad marks, they aren’t historically bad. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, one of their defensive stats is on pace to be the worst in NFL history. 

Here is more on the Dallas defense as their success on stopping opponents on third down.

MORE NFL WEEK 9:

Why Cowboys have struggled on third down

Watching Dallas take on Arizona in Week 9’s "Monday Night Football" game was a perfect example of what has been going wrong with the team. The Cowboys weren’t bad on first and second down, getting five sacks in those situations, per head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The head coach then pointed out what led to the loss. "Then situational football. We weren’t able to sustain enough drives because we weren’t good on third down, and they did a good job, converted some third-and-longs," Shottenheimer said.

Arizona’s first drive of the game displayed Dallas’ problems in primetime. The Cardinals faced third-and-eight, third-and-10, third-and-six, third-and-six and third-and-five on their first offensive possessions. In those situations, Arizona had an 18-yard completion, a 15-yard completion, a defensive holding penalty which resulted in an automatic first down, a seven-yard completion, and an incomplete pass. 

Through nine games, Dallas is allowing a third-down conversion rate of 54%, per Bobby Belt. The record for the worst third-down conversion rate for an NFL defense is 51.9%. 

While the Cardinals started the game converting on 3-of-4 third downs because the penalty technically isn’t a play and thus doesn’t count. Arizona finished the game converting 7-of-13 third downs. Still, at one point in the game, Arizona converted 7-of-9 third downs, good for a 53.8% third-down conversion rate, right in line with Dallas’ average for the season.

Schottenheimer said in his post-game press conference that the problems facing the team are inconsistencies. Unfortunately for Dallas, the Cowboys have actually been extremely consistent on defense and historically bad on third down. Dallas will look to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline to try to find a boost for the defense, and will have a bye week in Week 10 to get things right for the second-half of the season. 

MORE: Marvin Harrison snatches DaRon Bland’s ankles on TD route

Cowboys remaining 2025 schedule

Week Opponent
10 BYE WEEK
11 at Raiders (MNF)
12 vs. Eagles
13 vs. Chiefs
14 at Lions (TNF)
15 vs. Minnesota (SNF)
16 vs. Chargers
17 at Commanders (Christmas Day)
18 at Giants

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