Troy Aikman: Cowboys Locker Room Seemingly Has ‘Some Uneasiness’ amid 1-2 Start

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IISeptember 25, 2024

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ESPN NFL game analyst and ex-Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman is sensing that there is “some uneasiness” within the team’s locker room as the 1-2 squad gears up for a Thursday Night Football matchup at the New York Giants, saying the following on Wednesday’s edition of Pardon The Interruption.

“As much as a must-win could be here in Week 4. I think it’s really important and I think it goes beyond just what the record would be if they were to lose. I think that, I just sense that there’s some uneasiness within the locker room, whatever that might entail. It just feels like there’s some rumblings and another loss could just create more issues internally. Forget whatever they have to answer to externally. So, I think winning is the ultimate deodorant. As we know, they definitely need a win.”

The Cowboys began the year with a 33-17 road win over the Cleveland Browns, but it’s been downhill ever since.

Dallas then lost two straight home games. First, running back Alvin Kamara scored four touchdowns en route to the New Orleans Saints’ 44-19 win. Then, the Baltimore Ravens jumped out to a 28-6 lead before holding onto a 28-25 win as Derrick Henry galloped for 151 rushing yards and two scores.

The Dallas defense, which has been a strength over the past three seasons, now appears to be a glaring weakness, especially against the run. The Cowboys were forced to make a change at defensive coordinator when Dan Quinn left to become the Washington Commanders’ head coach, bringing in ex-Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as the new DC.

It hasn’t worked out, at least not yet. Dallas has allowed the third-most points per game in the NFL (29.7 PPG) and the most rushing yards (557) and touchdowns (eight).

The offense hasn’t really fired on all cylinders, either, at least not consistently. Dallas notably went scoreless in the final 24 minutes of the Saints game and had just six points until the final nine minutes of the Ravens matchup, which featured a 19-point barrage near the end. Superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb has gotten off to a slow start (13 catches, 218 yards, one touchdown).

One could argue that the team’s best player has been kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has made all 10 of his field goals, including five from 50 or more yards.

With respect to Aubrey’s sensational start, it’s not ideal for a team’s MVP to be a kicker. Dallas has issues on both sides of the ball right now and not a lot of time to figure it out.

On Thursday, Dallas visits a beatable 1-2 Giants team. Dallas is 13-1 against New York in its last 14 games and 6-0 over the past three years.

While the Giants have some momentum built after a 21-15 road win over the Browns, and while New York has a bona fide rookie superstar in wide receiver Malik Nabers, the Cowboys are favored here by 5.5 points, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Dallas should win on paper, but if the offense stays inconsistent and the run defense continues to falter, then Big Blue can pull off the upset. And if that happens, alarm bells should be going off in Big D.