Jerry Jones underwhelmed by Eberflus, Cowboys' defense
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones isn't happy with their defensive performance Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, and he doesn't sound impressed with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' first season on the job.
Jones was particularly disappointed that Dallas couldn't contain Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who's struggled during his first season as a starter. The 22-year-old threw for a career-high 250 yards to go along with two touchdowns and one interception and posted a 108 passer rating. He also ran for 15 yards, performing the Griddy dance after a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter. Dallas lost 34-26.
"We let their quarterback have a big day on us," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. "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."
Jones said he's pleased with what he's observed from the Cowboys' offense but "didn't expect" the team's defensive issues, per The Dallas Morning News' Joseph Hoyt.
Dallas has surrendered 30 points per game (31st in the NFL) and allowed a league-high 254.8 passing yards per contest. The Cowboys are on pace to become the eighth team in league history to allow 500 points in a season, per Hoyt.
Jones would prefer to have continuity on the defensive side of the ball. Eberflus is the club's third DC in the last three seasons.
Dallas changed the structure of its defense after trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August for a pair of first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The Cowboys also acquired Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson prior to the NFL trade deadline. Yet the defensive unit has taken a step back in recent weeks, giving up 78 combined points in back-to-back losses to the Lions and Vikings.
Jones doesn't think the players are the reason the Cowboys own a 6-7-1 record and could miss the playoffs for a second straight year.
"I'm satisfied that the players we have fit what we're trying to do really well. ... I think if we could have gotten this defense in better shape earlier that we could be sitting here with the kind of wins that would've not had us in this tight spot," Jones said.
The Cowboys host the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) on Sunday.