The Dallas Cowboys' biggest letdown thus far has unquestionably been the performance of new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Following a failed tenure as the head coach in Chicago, there was a belief that Eberflus could thrive in a lesser role. That belief in Eberflus appears to have been completely misplaced, with Dallas giving up 61 points over the first two weeks of the season. Losing a talent like Micah Parsons when the Cowboys did was always going to provide Eberflus a grace period so he could figure things out, but the line of what is acceptable production has long been crossed.
Still, fans should have a level of hope that this is the week things turn around. Losing your best player is an understandably shaking experience. One that needed a wake-up call that last Sunday's close win provided. Russell Wilson is far removed from his days of being considered a borderline MVP. When looking at his stints with the Broncos and Steelers, it took all of one season for it to become glaringly clear that things weren't working with Wilson as QB1.
Cowboys Fans Holding out Hope for Matt Eberflus to Turn Around Dallas Defense in Week 3
This same quarterback lit up the Dallas secondary and should've handed the Giants an upset win if not for two incredibly clutch field goals from Brandon Aubrey. Perhaps this was the exact jolt the Cowboys needed to turn things around defensively and for Eberflus to begin showing improvement. The team's Week 3 matchup with the Chicago Bears hosting Dallas leaves room for this belief. Two games into the season, the Bears' offense has been mistake-prone and unable to protect Caleb Williams.
If there is one moment on the schedule that is going to give Eberflus a chance for redemption, it is this Sunday's game. Williams is already on thin ice and will likely be pressing after Chicago was blown out a week ago by Detroit. The Cowboys will have opportunities to make life difficult on Williams again this week. Eberflus must take advantage of them by pushing the right buttons and proving the franchise doesn't need to make a change.
There have already been rumblings that the Cowboys could entertain making a move at the position if the current struggles continue. It comes as little surprise when you consider the lack of consistency throughout the coordinator's career. A statement game is needed for Dallas to feel that things are headed back in the right direction. Enter the struggling Bears, who are offering Eberflus the perfect chance at redemption.