Through four weeks, every defense in the NFL has an interception except for one. Every team has been in position to capitalize on a less-than-perfect pass at least once. Every team has fooled its opponent with its coverage or pressured a quarterback to rush a pass, or done something to turn a ballistic attack into a change of possession, except for one: the Dallas Cowboys.
Against the odds, the Cowboys have yet to pick off a pass in 2026 while teams such as the Jaguars, Seahawks and Giants already have six. It should be no surprise, the Jaguars, Seahawks and Giants share a combined 9-3 record with two of the three in first place of their respective divisions. Turnovers tip the balance and the Cowboys defense can’t seem to tip anything in their favor.
Week 5 presents a special opportunity for this struggling defense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are without Baker Mayfield again and will be leaning on undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on Thursday night. Daniels, the only starting rookie quarterback in the league this year, threw two interceptions in his debut last week. The Cowboys hope for more of the same this week.
Daniels said after the game the interceptions were an execution issue rather than a misdiagnosis. In other words, advanced coverages and disguises didn’t trick the rookie, but accuracy and execution were to blame.
#Packers SAF Evan Williams (33) playing catch technique. #Bucs QB Jalon Daniels is late & Williams comes away w/ the INT.#GoPackGo #TitletownTakes pic.twitter.com/Figfq3cUrD
— Titletown Takes (@TitletownTakes_) October 6, 2026
If accuracy and execution where the true culprits of these turnovers, it’s on the Cowboys’ defensive backs to be in position to capitalize. All too often they are so far out of position they allow an enormous margin of error for their opponents. Whether that’s being out-of-phase in man coverage, too loose in zone, or simply lost, it’s a situation that needs to be cleaned up so they can play the opportunist.
More snaps for Joey Porter Jr. will certainly help but everyone must keep in mind, Porter only has three career interceptions to his name, so he’s not the Cowboys’ savior in this regard. It’s a team and scheme effort with Christian Parker’s defense getting served up a prime opportunity to shine.
Daniels only passed for 148 yards in his starting debut against the Green Bay Packers. He’s unlikely to be aggressive through the air and will probably lean on the running game and his own legs to move the ball and bleed the clock. But passes are unavoidable and the Cowboys have to be ready for when the opportunities present themselves.
Cowboys would be wise to close the middle of the field against TB this week and force Jalon Daniels to hit windows outside. Keeping him in the pocket will be the tough part... pic.twitter.com/faVgYpW6HF
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) October 7, 2026
Both of Daniels’ interceptions occurred outside the left hash with one all the way to the boundary. Closing down the middle of the field and forcing balls outside should work in Dallas’ favor. By playing Cover 1 and Cover 3, Daniels will have to lean on arm strength and accuracy to complete those outside throws which, with any luck, will provide the Cowboys' defensive backs the time they need to break on balls.
This could be a great growth game for Parker’s defense. It isn’t a time to dumb things down but rather a time to get things right. The Buccaneers aren’t push-overs, by any means, but they do present opportunity. With any luck that opportunity will come in the form of an interception or two.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys have perfect opportunity to fix INT drought in Week 5 vs Bucs
