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Cowboys Defense Under Fire: Can They Stop Commanders?
18 Sep
Summary
- New DC Christian Parker faces scrutiny over Cowboys' defense.
- Dallas offense retains staff from 2025's 2nd-best unit.
- Tyler Smith's absence impacts Cowboys' offensive line.
The Washington Commanders, seeking their first win, are set to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. The Cowboys' defense has undergone significant changes, including the hiring of Christian Parker as Defensive Coordinator, who aims to implement a Fangio-style scheme. Despite these efforts, Week 1 saw the unit struggle with blown assignments and an inability to contain the run, eerily similar to their performance last year.
On the offensive side, Dallas retains its 2025 coaching staff, which produced the league's 2nd-best offense in yards gained. However, the offensive line, while largely intact, is dealing with the absence of guard Tyler Smith. Concerns also linger about right tackle Terence Steele's pass protection, though left tackle Tyler Guyton showed improvement.
Dallas drafted safety Caleb Downs and OLB Malachi Lawrence in the first round, signaling a commitment to bolstering the defense. However, the immediate impact has yet to materialize. Coach Parker faces pressure to elevate the defensive unit's performance against the Commanders.
