Can Dak Prescott Save the Cowboys from Jerry Jones?
The Dallas Cowboys haven't won a championship in three decades, and the biggest reason why sits in the owner's suite every week at AT&T Stadium.
That's not exactly breaking news, especially to Cowboys fans who have had to endure Jerry Jones' lack of proficiency as a general manager over the years. Jones has made plenty of head-scratching moves, and cost his team millions in salary cap space by delaying inevitable contract extensions for star players.
The latest dubious decision made by Jones as the Cowboys' roster-builder was trading away star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the NFC-rival Green Bay Packers, instead of extending one of the most dominant defensive players in the league who is just now entering his prime.
Jones made it clear that he believed the Cowboys had a better chance of winning a Super Bowl without Parsons, and wanted to prioritize improving the team's rushing defense. That's why Jones was excited about acquiring veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark from Green Bay in the Parsons deal, along with a pair of first-round picks.
But heading into Monday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys remain one of the most porous defenses in the entire NFL, both through the air and on the ground.
Dallas ranks 30th in the league in both rushing yards allowed and passing yards allowed per game, and without Parsons, the pass rush has predictably regressed. Through their first eight games, the Cowboys have managed just 15 sacks, the eight-lowest total in the league.
The #Cowboys defense through Week 6 (pre-MNF):
- 30.7 points allowed per game (32nd)
- 2,470 total yds allowed (32nd)
- 61 rushing first downs allowed (32nd)
- 53.2 third down conversion rate (32nd)
- 71.8 completion % allowed (29th)
- 6.2 yards per play (30th)#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/pmk7YetVhZ — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) October 13, 2025
Those numbers are the biggest reasons why the Cowboys have a 3-4-1 record as they approach the halfway point of the regular season.
And the biggest reason why that record isn't worse wears No. 4, and leads the offensive huddle every week.
Dak Prescott has played MVP-level football for much of the 2025 season so far, including a four-game stretch during which he threw 13 touchdown passes with no interceptions. Making that run even more impressive: Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was out of the lineup for three of those games due to injury.
There have been other stellar performances from emerging players on the offense, too. Javonte Williams and George Pickens have both been revelations since joining the team, and those who favor a glass-half-full view of Jones' personnel moves will be quick to point them out.
But Prescott still deserves the lion's share of the credit for leading an offense that ranks second in the NFL in points per game (30.8) and total yards per game (404.6), despite missing key pieces like Lamb and multiple starters along the offensive line.
Adjusted Quarterback Efficiency (AQE) through Week 7. Accounts for YAC, drops, INT/fumble luck and SOS
- Dak Prescott now leads in per-play and total adjusted EPA
- Larger negative adjustment for SOS knocks Drake Maye down a couple spots versus unadjusted efficiency
- Baker… pic.twitter.com/64acyau2fl — Kevin Cole (@KevinCole___) October 22, 2025
But the offense's success hasn't been enough to outweigh the defensive struggles, and those issues can be traced directly to Jones' gamble that subtracting Parsons would somehow make them a better team. The pass rush has taken the step back that everyone expected, and the rush defense is still as bad as its ever been (even with the addition of Clark).
Meanwhile in Green Bay, Parsons ranks sixth in the league with 6.5 sacks. His presence has helped his new teammates, too, as Rashan Gary is just ahead of him with seven sacks, while the Packers rank just outside the top 10 in the league with 22 as a team. Nobody in Dallas has more than James Houston's 3.5 sacks so far this season.
If the offensive line can stay healthy, the return of Lamb should allow Prescott and company to keep producing at an extremely high level. The impressive numbers they've put up so far haven't been enough, though, so they'll have to take things up a notch unless the defense can find some miracle cure down the stretch.
Will it be nice for the Cowboys when they've got multiple first-round picks to play with in each of the next two drafts? Sure.
Is it likely they'll find the kind of superstar pass rusher they willingly shipped elsewhere with any of those picks, especially considering the likelihood that Green Bay's picks will be late in the round? Not so much.
You know that's right.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 30, 2025
Micah Parsons is the NFC Defensive Player of the Month! pic.twitter.com/Mu2Je7TxUW
In the meantime, the team-building misses on defense threaten to cancel out the success that Prescott and the offense is having, holding the team back from being a serious championship contender anytime soon.
If the Cowboys have any hope in returning to national relevancy in more than just a ceremonial fashion, it rests on the shoulders of Prescott to play at such an otherworldly level so as to overcome what continues to be one of the worst defenses in the entire NFL.
And until Jones is willing to admit that he's a terrible general manager, it'll be up to Prescott to save the team's Super Bowl hopes for the foreseeable future.
Jordan Love Expresses Disappointment Over Taylor Swift’s Likely Absence from Packers' Week 9 Game
Jordan Love, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, has expressed his disappointment over Taylor Swift’s likely absence from the Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The pop superstar, who has become a beloved figure among Packers fans, was expected to attend the highly anticipated matchup, but reports suggest she may be unable to make it due to scheduling conflicts.
“It’s definitely a bummer that Taylor won’t be there,” Love said during a press conference ahead of the game. “She’s been a huge part of the energy around this team, and her support means a lot to us. We were all looking forward to seeing her in the stands again, but we understand that she’s got a lot going on.”
Swift, who has been spotted at multiple Packers games this season, has gained significant attention for her high-profile support of the team, including her presence during important matchups. Her support has brought a wave of excitement among fans, and her absence this week will surely be felt.
“We always appreciate having her there cheering us on,” Love continued. “She’s not just a fan; she’s a part of this community. We’ll miss having her energy around, but we know we’ve got to stay focused on the game and deliver for our fans, with or without her in the stands.”
While fans are disappointed by Swift’s absence, Love remains determined to lead the Packers to victory. “At the end of the day, it’s about what we do on the field,” he said. “We’ve got a job to do, and we’re focused on getting the win for the team, the city, and all of our supporters.”
As the Packers gear up for the crucial Week 9 game, Love’s leadership and the team’s drive will be key to overcoming the disappointment of Swift’s absence and continuing their pursuit of success this season.
