Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been under the microscope all season long with the way his unit has performed.
The latest wave of pressure came after the team’s 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy passed for a season- and career-high 250 passing yards in the win.
It was a loss that dropped the Cowboys’ playoff chances to just one percent, plus a two-week stretch in which the defense has surrendered 78 points, and several big plays through the air, after a three game winning streak in which the defense played a part in helping get the season back on track.
Now after the recent round of struggles, Eberflus told reporters Thursday he’ll be moving from the sidelines up to the coaches’ booth to call plays.
“It’s a real chance to get a good perspective get information and see the game develop, Eberflus said. “I’ve done it before, it’s been a while, but we think it’s going to be a good adjustment.”
The last time Eberflus coached from the booth was during his stint as the Cleveland Browns’ linebackers coach from 2009 to 2010.
Owner Jerry Jones put his defensive coordinator on notice earlier this week, after the defensive performance during the Minnesota loss and emphasized that how the defense finishes down the stretch will matter.
“We let their quarterback have a big day on us,” Jones said. “That wasn’t the plan. We could have used more pressure, without question, at different times. The result was that we let him make some pretty significant plays out there, plus, he played pretty well. It seems like we’re always saying that about these (opposing) quarterbacks. Some of them hadn’t played as well, but when they play us, they play better. I think that’s telling, too.”
With all the pressure build up on Eberflus, the veteran coach was asked if a vote of confidence was needed by the front office.
“I don’t look for a vote of confidence. That to me is like kind of a hypothetical deal there, so, again, it’s about doing your job. I know this is the NFL. We got to do a good job this week and focus on that. That’s where our feet are.”
Heading into Week 16, the Cowboys’ defense ranks 29th in total yards allowed (374.9), 32nd against the pass (254.8), 18th vs. the run (120.1), and 31st in scoring defense (30.0 points per game), while also ranking 30th in both red-zone and third-down defense.
