A Dallas Cowboys season that started with optimism now finds itself in peril. Twelve regular-season games remain, starting with Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). At 2-3, the Cowboys are tied for second in the NFC East after Thursday's 24-16 loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the Cowboys "are just getting started" and that time is on their side, but the team must make real improvement to avoid being a win-one, lose-one squad. Schottenheimer is now 9-12-1 as head coach, and the Cowboys have won consecutive games only once during his tenure.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the focus must be on "now" rather than the future. Jones has remained open to trades, but Dallas has only four selections left in the 2027 draft after dealing its 2028 second-round pick to the Steelers for Joey Porter Jr. on Oct. 1.
The defense remains a major concern. The Cowboys have allowed at least 378 yards and at least 20 points in each of their first five games, and the unit under coordinator Christian Parker looks much like the 2025 group that finished near the bottom in every category. The offense has also fallen short of expectations, with the run game managing only 50 yards against Tampa Bay and turnovers contributing to defeats against the Giants and Buccaneers. Schottenheimer's game management has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks, including questionable decisions in the Ravens loss and a missed 65-yard field goal against the Texans.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing