The Dallas Cowboys' faint hopes of reaching the NFL playoffs were officially extinguished after a decisive 34-17 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss, which drops the team's record to 6-8-1, guarantees a second consecutive season without postseason football and raises serious questions about the future of first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Defensive Collapse Seals Cowboys' Fate
Despite a strong offensive start led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who engineered touchdowns on the first two drives, the Cowboys' defense had no answers for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. Herbert, playing with a broken left hand, completed a season-best 79% of his passes, leading the Chargers to a season-high 452 yards of total offense. This performance starkly contrasted a Dallas defense that, despite having one of the league's best QB pressure rates at 27.8%, ranks in the bottom third with only 29 sacks and failed to record a sack for the second straight game.
The defensive struggles occurred even as coordinator Matt Eberflus moved his game-day location from the sideline to the coaching booth. The move did little to stem the tide, and it placed Eberflus squarely under the microscope of owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Jerry Jones Non-Committal on Eberflus' Future
Following the game, Jerry Jones offered no vote of confidence for Eberflus, a valued defensive assistant in Dallas a decade ago. Jones confirmed Eberflus would not be fired before the season ends with road games against Washington and the New York Giants, but he framed the upcoming evaluation as standard procedure.
"I might not couch it as difficult," Jones stated when asked about the decision on Eberflus. "Now, that’s not uncommon to evaluate at this time of the year your entire coaching staff. And obviously the target’s on him because of our statistical as well as actual play on the defensive side of the ball." A change would mean the Cowboys' fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons by 2026.
Key Performances and Roster Decisions Loom
On a positive note, wide receiver George Pickens rebounded powerfully with seven catches for 130 yards and a 38-yard touchdown. Having a potential 1,500-yard season in his Dallas debut, he is now a strong candidate for the franchise tag. The offensive line also saw a significant shift, with Tyler Smith moving to left tackle to protect Prescott's blind side for the remainder of the season, a move that could become permanent.
However, questionable play-calling by first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer also drew attention. A failed fourth-and-1 dive play to fullback Hunter Luepke from the Chargers' 16-yard line in the third quarter proved costly, leading to a Chargers field goal and a two-score lead.
Injuries further complicated matters, with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams missing his first game since being traded and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown exiting with a concussion. Despite being eliminated, the Cowboys can still finish 5-1 in the NFC East and become only the second team to finish 8-8-1 since the NFL moved to a 17-game schedule.
