Jerry Jones criticizes Cowboys defense after narrow victory
The Dallas Cowboys celebrated a Christmas Day victory, edging out the Washington Commanders 30-23 in a hard-fought contest on the road. Despite the win, the performance of the Cowboys’ defense raised significant concerns, particularly in light of their inability to maintain a commanding lead.
Dallas surged to an early advantage, leading 21-3, but allowed Washington to claw back into the game. The Commanders, who were missing their star quarterback Jayden Daniels and his backup Marcus Mariota, turned to veteran Josh Johnson. In a surprising turn, Johnson delivered one of the best performances of his career, completing 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards without any turnovers, and only faced one sack throughout the game.
The Cowboys’ defensive struggles were compounded by the fact that Washington’s ground game thrived despite the absence of their usual lead back, Chris Rodriguez Jr. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt took advantage of the situation, racking up 105 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, averaging an impressive 8.6 yards per attempt.
Jerry Jones’ candid assessment of the defense
Following the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke candidly about the team’s defensive performance during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan. When asked if he was satisfied with the defensive scheme and coaching, his response was unequivocal.
“No. No. Not at all. We have a lot of work to do over there. But we can do it,” Jones stated, emphasizing the urgent need for improvement on that side of the ball. His words reflect the growing frustration within the organization regarding the defense’s inconsistent performances throughout the season.
As the Cowboys prepare for the crucial final stretch of the season, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on the defense. With their playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, addressing these issues will be paramount if they hope to contend for a championship.
