Without the heroics of kicker Brandon Aubrey and an overtime win against the Giants, the Cowboys would be off to an 0-3 start. The culprit is a defense that is surrendering some eye-popping statistics. Just how bad has the Cowboys’ defense been through three weeks? Here are a few numbers that help tell the story:
(Note: These stats were compiled ahead of Week 3’s Monday night Lions-Ravens meeting.)
Points allowed
The Cowboys have allowed 92 points through their first three games of the season and are one of seven teams surrendering at least 30 points per game. In franchise history, it is the fourth-most points allowed through three games. All of those seasons ended with a losing record.
Cowboys
Here are the five seasons with the most points allowed through the first three games, and how those Cowboys teams finished:
Big plays
The Cowboys’ defense has allowed 15 plays of 20 or more yards. The five touchdowns of 25 or more yards are the most in the NFL. Here is a list of those big plays:
Eagles game
51 yards: Jalen Hurts pass deep down the middle to Jahan Dotson.
20 yards: Will Shipley run around left end.
Giants game
52 yards: Russell Wilson pass deep right to Darius Slayton.
48 yards: Wilson pass deep right to Malik Nabers for a touchdown.
35 yards: Wilson pass deep middle to Wan’Dale Robinson.
32 yards: Wilson pass deep right to Robinson for a touchdown.
29 yards: Wilson pass deep left to Nabers for a touchdown.
28 yards: Wilson pass deep left to Nabers
25 yards: Wilson pass deep middle to Robinson.
24 yards: Cam Skattebo run up the middle.
Bears game
65 yards: Caleb Williams flea-flicker pass deep left to Luther Burden III for a touchdown.
41 yards: Williams pass short left to D’Andre Swift.
35 yards: Williams pass deep left to Rome Odunze for a touchdown.
31 yards: Williams pass deep right to Colston Loveland.
29 yards: Williams pass deep middle to Burden.
Lack of sacks
The Cowboys have only four sacks on the season after recording zero against the Bears. Of note, one of the Cowboys’ sacks is credited to the team, not an individual player. Only six teams have four sacks or fewer this season:
Takeaways
The Cowboys have only one takeaway, the Donovan Wilson interception that set up Aubrey’s game-winning overtime field goal against the Giants. Only six NFL teams have one turnover or fewer this season:
Third downs
The Cowboys are last in the league on third-down conversion percentage, allowing their opponents to gain a first down 53.66% of the time. Here are the five worst defenses for third-down percentage after three weeks:
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.