Not a lot was expected of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 and yet it’s still been a disappointing start to the season. The Cowboys are coming off of their worst loss of the year, a 27-17 home defeat to the Cardinals, dropping Dallas’ record to 3-5-1. I picked the Cowboys to finish 9-8 and miss the playoffs this season, but I thought they’d be 6-3 coming out of their bye week. I expected Dallas to lose to the Eagles and Broncos. Losses to the Bears, Panthers, and Cardinals have put the Cowboys in a deep hole as the toughest portion of their schedule looms after this Monday’s game in Las Vegas.
For the most part, Dallas’ offense has done their part, even without CeeDee Lamb for three games. Dak Prescott has played very well, George Pickens has been a huge boost to the passing game, and Javonte Williams has exceeded expectations running the football. The offense has struggled the last couple of games; it’s understandable against Denver, but not so much against Arizona. If Dallas is going to make any semblance of a run at a playoff spot, the offense will have to carry them.
Analysis: A look at the Quinnen Williams trade from all angles. #Jets #Cowboys https://t.co/qI2Yl24Cwx
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 5, 2025
The bigger problem has been on defensive side as Dallas has one of the worst defenses in the league, against both the run and the pass. The loss of Micah Parsons can’t be understated as not only have the Cowboys lost an All Pro pass rusher, but also the residual effects that Parsons has on the rest of the team when opponents have to account for him. With rare exception, Dallas has struggled to rush the QB and have allowed too many open receivers in the secondary. After majoring in zone coverage for the majority of the season, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has showed more man looks and blitz packages in recent weeks. While it’s been good to see the Cowboys change some things up, the changes have resulted in little success, and the Cowboys are still searching for answers defensively. Maybe standout DT Quinnen Williams can be a cornerstone of this defense. Dallas expects to get some players back from injury, like LB DeMarvion Overshown and rookie CB Shavon Revel. Perhaps CB Trevon Diggs can return to form. I’m not too optimistic that this defense will suddenly make leaps of improvement, and that’s what it will take for the Cowboys to beat some teams down the stretch that they won’t be expected to beat.
Brian Schottenheimer said the plan is for DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel to be ready to play Nov. 17 against the Raiders provided everything goes well this week and next.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 4, 2025
Dallas travels to Vegas to take on the Raiders this Monday at 7:15 on ABC and ESPN. Las Vegas is 2-7 with one of those wins coming against the Titans, who have the worst record in the league. The Raiders are in the middle of the pack defensively but have been terrible offensively. Geno Smith has completed 67% of his passes for 1,844 yards, but he’s thrown 12 INT’s compared to 11 TD’s. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty has carried the rushing load with 547 yards, but he’s averaging less than 4 yards per carry. TE Brock Bowers missed all of October with a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his left knee; if healthy, he’s a big threat in the passing game. DE Maxx Crosby has 5 sacks and is one of the better pass rushers in the league. If the Cowboys don’t play well defensively in this game, Heaven help them. The hole is probably too deep, but a win on Monday would give the Cowboys a shot of optimism as the schedule ramps up.
Cowboys 31 Raiders 24
Matt Meyer
@Bluto51
Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer is live hosting his press conference including reflections on the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. https://t.co/pMZi06lrAi
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 12, 2025
