Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cowboys fans and fans across the country.
This week, we wanted to know which side of the ball you are blaming more for the absolutely crushing loss against the Arizona Cardinals. We’ll make a case for and against each unit and then we’ll hit the polls for a vote.
For blaming the offense: The Dallas Cowboys came into the season knowing the offense needed to carry the team. The defense
was the defense, so the offense had to be elite. Remember GOTI? More like goat, and not the good kind. The offense has so many chances to put the game away but they couldn’t do it. Having CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the sidelines during crucial plays is never a good look. Wasted points allowed the Cardinals to hang around.
Against blaming the offense: They scored 30 points. In the NFL, that is usually a winning number. They handed the defense a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter, and a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter. It’s hard to ask for more than that from an NFL offense. They may not have played great, but they provided margins in the fourth quarter anyone would have taken before the game.
For blaming the defense: It’s hard to comprehend the collapse of the Cowboys defense the minute Gardner Minshew stepped onto the field. He and Tyler Allgeier shredded the defense in a way that is mathematically improbable. They gave up 27 points in a 16.5-minute stretch to end regulation. Absurd.
Against blaming the defense: We know the Cowboys defense is bad, but the Cowboys offense and coaching kept making decisions like they’re good. Instead of running up the score early when the defense was balling, they only put up 14 points in the first half. The offense kept the Cardinals in the game in the second half with conservative decisions. And at least the defense was playing against Minshew/Allgeier, a combo they hadn’t prepared for. The offense doesn’t have that excuse.
Hit the polls below and then tell us your thoughts in the comments.
