Grading the Dallas Cowboys at the bye: trending down at 3-3 and earning a D

Six games into the 2024 season, one that was always considered make-or-break campaign for coach Mike McCarthy and roughly 33 players in the final years of their contracts, things are already at critical mass for the Dallas Cowboys.

They have a 3-3 record.

And while there is some truth behind the adage you are what your record says you are, this is a middling team that appears to be trending down at the bye with little to feel good about.

And as much of the Cowboys look forward to return of a number of starters from injury for the San Francisco 49ers game on Oct. 27, no one is under the illusion that problems that plagued them through the first six games will suddenly disappear.

The Cowboys couldn’t stop the run or get to the passer when All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons and middle linebacker Erik Kendricks were in the lineup. So their returns won’t flip a switch on defense.

And rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton struggles played a huge role in the team’s red zone and scoring woes. So his absence from last Sunday’s 47-9 humiliating loss to the Detroit Lions was a nonfactor. Same is true for his expected to return for the 49ers game.

Nothing has gone right or expected for the Cowboys through six games, which is why their 3-3 record feels more like 2-4, if not 1-5, and has tensions and sensitivities at an all-time high at the team’s headquarters at the Star in Frisco.

And the Cowboys grades at the bye are reflective of that:

RUN OFFENSE: The Cowboys have the league’s worst running game. Yes, the rush offense is ranked statistically worse than the rush defense. Rico Dowdle ranks 31st amog all running backs and Ezekiel Elliott ranks 70th. Blame the backs for their lack dynamic play. But also blame the offensive line. There is simply no room to run. And the backs don’t break tackles. It is time for the Cowboys to give Dalvin Cook a chance.

GRADE: F

PASS OFFENSE: Dak Prescott is pretty much the entire Cowboys offense. He is third in the NFL in passing yards. But he is also second in interceptions with six. He is pressing but he must take care of the football. The pass protection is also a problem. So is a lack of weapons outside. And No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb remains off his game in terms of communication because of the missed time in training camp due to a contract hold out.

GRADE: D

RUN DEFENSE: The Cowboys can’t stop the run. They can’t tackle. They get pushed off the ball. They are not fundamentally sound. They still don’t know Mike Zimmer’s system. And they have panicked and tried to do too much. That is the assessment of defensive coordinator. The team misses defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, the best run stopper up front. He is on injured reserve with a foot sprain. But they need more from defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2023 first-round, who routinely gets pushed off the line of scrimmage.

GRADE: F

PASS DEFENSE: A Cowboys defense that was one of the best in the league at getting after the quarterback suddenly can’t get any pressure. Part of has to do with Parsons missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain. But the Cowboys were struggling with Parsons in the lineup. Their inability to stop the run as the whole defense off kilter. The coverage in the secondary only been marginally better. Receivers are consistently running wide open. All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs has struggled. And the Cowboys have played with backups at left cornerback because DaRon Bland has been sidelined since camp.

GRADE: F

SPECIAL TEAMS: The only saving grace for the Cowboys through the first three games is the strong play on special teams, led by kicker Brandon Aubrey. He has made 8 of 9 field goals 50 for more yards and 14 of 15 over 40. KaVonta Turpin showed he is still one of the league’s best returners. He leads the NFL in yards per kick off return and yards per punt return.

GRADE: A

COACHING: Nothing has gone right for McCarthy and Zimmer. That McCarthy is having the team go back to the basics during the bye week makes you wonder what was offseason program and training camp all about it. This team is not only being out-schemed but it can’t even get the details and the fundamentals right.

GRADE: D

OVERALL: The Cowboys are 3-3. But three losses at home, all featuring early blowouts are a true indicator of the team’s current downtrodden state. Everyone is feeling the heat, including owner Jerry Jones, who melted down during his radio show on Tuesday. Jones said he had no plans on making an in-season coaching change. He also no plans of adding in players to roster. Losses to the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons after the bye could change his tune on one or both.

GRADE: D