Dallas Cowboys fans had a front row seat to the Al-Quadin Muhammad show on Monday night. The ex-Cowboys defensive end led the charge for the Detroit Lions’ defensive line, which posted seven sacks and 30 QB pressures in a huge 38-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Muhammad, who was given a bigger role by the Lions due to an injury, made sure to capitalize on this opportunity on the primetime stage. He had three quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks (career-high), and two tackles for loss in 26 defensive snaps. Furthermore, his 80.9 pass rush grade on Pro Football Focus is the 14th-best mark among 153 exterior defenders in 2025.
For some Cowboys fans, this was bittersweet to watch as Muhammad was on the team last summer, but Dallas released him at the end of training camp, as Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram highlighted on X.
Given the struggles of the Cowboys’ defensive line and the lackluster production off the edge through three games this season, the Cowboys could use a veteran like Muhammad.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Shows Cowboys What They’re Missing in Breakout MNF Game
The Cowboys’ defense has registered only four sacks this season, which ranks them towards the bottom of the NFL. Only the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers have fewer sacks than the Cowboys.
Defensive ends Marshawn Kneeland and James Houston each have one sack apiece, which isn’t bad, considering that they aren’t starters. However, Dante Fowler Jr., whom the Cowboys signed to a one-year, $6 million deal this offseason, has been a massive disappointment.
Meanwhile, Muhammad already has 3.5 sacks through three games, surpassing his total with the Lions last season (3 in 9 games). The veteran defensive lineman has a relentless motor, along with a good combo of speed and size, making him the perfect fit in Detroit.
The Cowboys could’ve easily used that last year or this season, especially after trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Conversely, it's possible that Muhammad wouldn’t have seen the field since Dallas has rostered the likes of Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Tyrus Wheat, Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson, and Kneeland during that stretch.
Sometimes, all a player needs is an opportunity and someone to believe in them; the Lions are doing that with Muhammad and reaping the rewards. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ defense continues to sputter under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Packers.