FRISCO, Texas — Six weeks into the 2025 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys' defense has proven to be the team's most significant vulnerability, leading to an unacceptable 2-3-1 record. Following a humiliating display against the Panthers in Week 6, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, a key acquisition in the offseason's blockbuster trade, is leading the call for a drastic turnaround, emphasizing that talent alone is failing the team.
The defensive unit's struggles hit a new low last Sunday by allowing a massive 410 yards of total offense, including a season-high 216 yards on the ground. The sight of former running back Rico Dowdle racking up 183 rushing yards exposed glaring gaps in run defense, signaling a "red flag" for a unit built on star power.
"Anytime somebody's running the ball like that, it's definitely frustrating," Clark admitted, reflecting the competitive rage felt across the locker room. "We're all competitors and want to put our best foot out there. So anytime something like that happens, it's frustrating."
Beyond the Scheme: The Crisis of Accountability
Clark, who arrived from the Packers as part of the deal involving Micah Parsons, understands the 4-3 "attack front" defense implemented by Coordinator Matt Eberflus. He stressed that the issue is not complex scheme confusion.
"No, it's a four-down front, attack front," Clark said. "Everybody pretty much, in a four-three defense, everybody's got one gap to fill."
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The core problem, as identified by Coach Eberflus and echoed by Clark, is a simple failure to execute the "details of the defense." The message relayed in Monday's film session was stark: increased internal accountability. "It’s just us holding each other accountable and just getting to the bottom of that. Everybody's just looking in the mirror and figuring that stuff out," Clark explained.
The disconnect is particularly puzzling given the unit's veteran status. Clark highlighted the team's high offensive production, warning that the defense must match that effort. "We can't go all year playing defense like this, especially with how our offense is playing. If we can match that, we're going to be a really tough team to beat."
A Turning Point Must Be Found Now
Drawing on a similar slow start he experienced with the Packers two seasons ago—a team that ultimately rallied—Clark believes a mid-season resurgence is possible, but only with immediate commitment.
"You can get real hot, all it takes is us just coming in with the right mindset, right intentions, the right approach," he affirmed. "It’s going to take everybody just locking in and staying focused on the details because we're very talented. This is not a young defense, we're very experienced, got experience on all three levels."
The message is clear: the Cowboys possess the talent, but they lack the necessary discipline and consistency. With a crucial Week 7 matchup against the Commanders approaching, Clark concluded that time is running out. "The season isn't away from us from any means, but we've got to definitely just have a sense of urgency and play ball." The clock is ticking for Dallas to prove that their defensive issues are fixable before their playoff hopes truly unravel.
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