Jerry Jones says Cowboys' defensive play over final 3 games will be 'big criteria' in evaluating Matt Eberflus Andy Backstrom December 17, 2025 at 7:16 AM 0 Jerry Jones is at a crossroads. The longtime Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager is desperate for better defensive play, but he also understands the importance of continuity at the defensive coordinator position.
- - Jerry Jones says Cowboys' defensive play over final 3 games will be 'big criteria' in evaluating Matt Eberflus
Andy Backstrom December 17, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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Jerry Jones is at a crossroads. The longtime Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager is desperate for better defensive play, but he also understands the importance of continuity at the defensive coordinator position.
Even though Matt Eberflus has struggled mightily in his first season on the job — the Cowboys are allowing 30 points per game, the second most in the league at the moment — moving on from him would mean a fourth DC in four seasons. Dan Quinn left to become the Washington Commanders' head coach after the 2023 season. Mike Zimmer didn't return when the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy following the 2024 season. Then Eberflus joined Brian Schottenheimer's staff.
Jones was asked Tuesday on Dallas' 105.3 The FAN if Eberflus' job status is going to be determined by how the 6-7-1 Cowboys perform defensively over the final three games of the regular season.
"I think that should be a big criteria because these three games are vital to us," Jones said. "We don't play a game that's not important to us. ... But yes, how we play over these next few weeks will be a big criteria because I think, really, we're at one of the peaks of our healthiness right now. ... If we can step out there and have three good games, then I think that should go into the decision making."
Dallas rounds out its schedule with games against the 10-4 Chargers, the 4-10 Commanders and the 2-12 Giants. The final two of those matchups are road games for the Cowboys, who now have less than a 1% chance to make the postseason, according to both NFL.com and The Athletic's playoff simulator.
Dallas' postseason odds took another hit on Sunday night when the Minnesota Vikings came into AT&T Stadium and dealt the Cowboys a sobering, 34-26 defeat.
"In the case of Minnesota, we let their quarterback have a big day on us. That wasn't the plan," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The FAN. "Could have used more pressure without a question at different times, and the result was that we let him make some pretty significant plays out there. Plus, he played pretty well.
"But seemed like we're always saying that about these quarterbacks, some of 'em that hadn't played as well, but when they play us, they play better. I think that's telling, too."
J.J. McCarthy bounced back from an interception on his first throw of the night to string together his second straight impressive outing during what's been a turbulent sophomore season.
McCarthy completed 15-of-24 passes for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns and that 1 interception. He also "griddied" into the end zone while rushing for an additional score.
He was pressured on only nine of his 26 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, which notably lists his season completion percentage under duress at just 47%.
Blitzing helped the Cowboys cause McCarthy's game-opening pick, however, Dallas once again appeared to drift away from its pressure packages as the night wore on.
To Jones' point, McCarthy is the latest quarterback to enjoy head-scratching success against the Cowboys. Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas before his benching earlier this season. Justin Fields was sat down this year as well, except not before he sliced and diced Dallas for 283 yards and a pair of scores through the air. Jacoby Brissett, replacing the injured Kyler Murray, lit the Cowboys up with 261 yards and two touchdowns passing during a "Monday Night Football" win — the Cardinals' lone victory since Week 2.
No team has given up more passing yards per game (254.8) or passing touchdowns per game (2.21) than the Cowboys this season.
"So candidly, to just be very upfront about it," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The FAN, "I think if we could have gotten this defense in better shape earlier, we could be sitting here with the kind of wins that would've not had us in this tight spot."
What Jones described as a "hodgepodge" of injury-related issues has certainly made Eberflus life harder. Even so, Jones expected more from a group he's made over with a pair of high-profile trades, the first of which sent away star edge rusher Micah Parsons and brought in three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The next added fellow three-time Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams before the deadline.
Still, slowing opponents on the ground has remained difficult for Dallas on occasion. Against the Vikings this past Sunday, the Cowboys didn't generate the pressure they needed.
With a potent offense, Dallas has been held back by its deficiencies on the other side of the ball. Jones is well aware and trying to fix the issue — a solution could come at the expense of the staff continuity he desires.
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 17, 2025 at 01:27AM on Source: ANDY MAG
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