The Cowboys allowed 379 yards and 28 points during the Week 5 win over the Panthers and play the Giants on Sunday.

Analysis: The Panthers scored a pair touchdowns in the fourth quarter, otherwise Dallas had a dominant defensive effort on its hands. It was still another strong showing from the Cowboys D/ST with five sacks and two takeaways, The Cowboys surprisingly ranked second in the league in takeaways (10) and are middle of the pack in scoring (24.3 PPG) and sacks (nine). QB Daniel Jones has taken a major step forward for New York this season, though the offense is still only averaging 20.8 PPG. Jones has reined…read more

The Cowboys allowed 367 yards and 14 offensive points during the Week 3 win over the Eagles and play the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas had two sacks and two takeaways, including a pick-six from Trevon Diggs to open the second half. The Cowboys rank tied-29th in sacks (four) but lead the league with eight takeaways while giving up 23.0 PPG. QB Sam Darnold is off to a solid start to the season, but the absence of RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) looms large for Carolina. The Dallas D/ST has put itself on the fantasy radar and is a solid option for Week 4 given the Panthers are without their top offensive weapon.

The Cowboys gave up 408 yards and 17 points during the Week 2 win over the Chargers and play the Eagles on Monday.

Analysis: Los Angeles averaged 6.6 yards per play, but Dallas recorded two sacks and two takeaways to help limit the scoring. It's a surprisingly strong start to the campaign for the Cowboys defensively after notching four takeaways in the season opener. QB Jalen Hurts is a strong dual-threat option for Philadelphia, but the team's wideouts remain largely unproven. The Cowboys D/ST is creeping onto the fantasy radar but remains a subpar option for Week 3.

The Cowboys gave up up 431 yards and 31 points during the Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers and play the Chargers on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas surprisingly managed to force four turnovers after Tampa Bay totaled only 17 all of last season, but it otherwise had little luck stopping QB Tom Brady. The Cowboys didn't record a sack and will be facing a Chargers offensive line this week that allowed only two sacks to Washington's stacked defensive front, which only resulted in negative three yards. QB Justin Herbert has strong weapons in RB Austin Ekeler and WR Keenan Allen, leaving the Dallas D/ST in a poor matchup for Week 2…read more

The Cowboys will face a Buccaneers offense on Thursday that averaged 30.8 PPG and 384.1 YPG last season.

Analysis: Year-to-year comparisons typically aren't especially useful given personnel changes, but Tampa Bay returns every starter from both sides of the ball, so QB Tom Brady should continue to lead a dynamic offense. WRs Chris Godwin (quad) and Antonio Brown (knee) are nursing injuries this week, but even if both are sidelined it might not be enough to make the Dallas D/ST a palatable matchup. The Cowboys struggled defensively throughout 2020 and likely didn't make enough offseason additions to push…read more

DT Neville Gallimore suffered a dislocated elbow in mid-August and was ruled out for 6-to-8 weeks.

Analysis: The 2020 third-round pick played 416 defensive snaps as a rookie and totaled 28 tackles and a half-sack in 14 games last year, and his absence leaves the Cowboys short on depth up front defensively. Safety Malik Hooker appears poised to start after signing with Dallas at the start of camp, and his first-round pedigree should be a boost to the secondary if he can stay healthy. The Cowboys D/ST isn't expected to be a regular fantasy option in 2021 after allowing 29.6 PPG last season.

The Cowboys signed safety Malik Hooker (Achilles) on July 27

Analysis: Hooker was limited to two games for Indianapolis last year due to an Achilles injury, but he brings a first-round pedigree to the Dallas secondary if he can stay healthy. It's a solid low-risk, high-reward move for the Cowboys, which spent their first six picks on defenders during the 2021 draft after a quiet free agency.

The Cowboys spent their first six picks on defenders during the 2021 NFL Draft, including first-round selection Micah Parsons at linebacker and second-round selection Kevin Joseph at cornerback.

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The Cowboys gave up 477 yards and 17 points during the Week 16 win over the Eagles and play the Giants on Sunday.

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The Cowboys surrendered 33 points and 458 yards during the Week 15 win over the 49ers and play the Eagles on Sunday.

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The Cowboys gave up 309 yards and seven points during the Week 14 win over the Bengals and play the 49ers on Sunday.

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The Cowboys gave up 401 yards and 34 points during the Week 13 loss to the Ravens and play the Bengals on Sunday.

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Dallas gave up 338 yards and 34 offensive points during the Week 12 loss to Washington and play Baltimore on Tuesday.

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Dallas surrendered 430 yards and 28 points during the Week 11 win over Minnesota and play Washington on Thursday.

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The Cowboys rank 23rd in total defense (381.6 YPG) and 32nd in scoring (32.2 PPG) heading into Sunday's game against the Vikings.

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The Cowboys allowed 15 offensive points and 222 yards during the 23-9, Week 8 loss to the Eagles and play the Steelers on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas turned in a strong performance across the board with four takeaways and four sacks after entering the contest with only three takeaways and 13 sacks all season. The Philadelphia offense has endured tons of issues this year, but Week 9 brings a much tougher matchup. Pittsburgh ranks tied-sixth in sacks allowed (10), tied-ninth in giveaways and fifth in scoring (30.1 PPG). The dominant defense also figures to give the Cowboys depleted offense fits. The Dallas D/ST isn't worth considering…read more

Dallas gave up 23 offensive points and 397 yards during the Week 7 loss to Washington and play Philadelphia on Sunday.

Analysis: This game was an unmitigated disaster for the Cowboys, as they averaged only 2.6 yards per play and gave the Football Team a blowout victory. Washington piled up 208 yards rushing (5.3 YPC) while Dallas had two sacks and zero takeaways. The Eagles have been marred by offensive inconsistency this season, but at this point the Dallas D/ST is a "play at your own risk" option.

The Cowboys surrendered 438 yards and 38 points during the Week 6 loss to the Cardinals and play Washington on Sunday.

Analysis: The first full game without QB Dak Prescott was a disaster on both sides of the Ball for Dallas, as it averaged only 4.1 yards per play and allowed 7.3 yards per play. RB Kenyan Drake averaged 3.7 YPC coming into the game, but the Cowboys gave up 164 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. The Football team represent a much easier matchup in Week 7 and hasn't scored more than 20 points since the season opener. The Cowboys D/ST is on the streaming radar this week since it's playing Washington,…read more

The Cowboys allowed 27 offensive points and 300 yards during the Week 5 win over the Giants and play the Cardinals on Monday.

Analysis: Anthony Brown's 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the saving grace, as Dallas otherwise had only two sacks and gave up 27 points to a Giants offense that entered the contest with only 47 points through four games. QB Kyler Murray and the Cardinals represent a much tougher matchup in Week 6, and the Cowboys D/ST hasn't shown it's worth considering against even somewhat competent offenses.

The Cowboys surrendered 49 points and 508 yards during the Week 4 loss to the Browns and play the Giants on Sunday.

Analysis: Describing the Dallas defense as "porous" would be a compliment at this point, as it's given up a ridiculous 126 points across the past three games. On top of that, Cleveland racked up 307 rushing yards on 7.7 YPC despite the fact that top-RB Nick Chubb exited during the first half with a knee injury. Meanwhile, the Giants have managed only three touchdowns through four games and are tied-28th in giveaways (eight) and tied-29th in sacks allowed (14). Between the poor New York offense and the…read more

The Cowboys gave up 38 points and 412 yards during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and play the Browns in Week 4.

Analysis: Dallas had four sacks and one takeaway, which occured as WR D.K. Metcalf slowed up on a sure touchdown and fumbled out the back of the endzone for the turnover. Besides DE Aldon Smith's three sacks, the Cowboys showed no real ability to slow down QB Russell Wilson. The Browns have solid pass protection (four sacks allowed) and have put up 69 points over the last two games. The Dallas D/ST hasn't shown enough playmaking potential (two takeaways and six sacks) through three games to warrant…read more

CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks heading into Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks.

Analysis: It was an ugly defensive showing for the Cowboys in Week 2, as the Falcons put up 39 points and 380 yards while recording one sack and zero takeaways. That makes for one takeaway and two sacks through two games, and QB Russell Wilson is unlikely to provide many playmaking opportunities in Week 3. It would be a major risk to trust the Dallas D/ST against the Seahawks, which have scored 73 points in their two games this season.

The Cowboys surrendered 20 points and 422 yards Sunday to the Rams and will face the Falcons in Week 2.

Analysis: Dallas allowed a bunch of yardage but overall played well despite totaling only one sack and one takeaway. LB Leighton Vander Esch broke his collarbone and could be sidelined for about two month, which figures to be a significant absence in the middle of the defense. QB Matt Ryan passed for 450 yards while WRs Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Rage all topped the 100-yard mark Week 1, which could be problematic for the Cowboys. The uncertainty in Dallas' secondary makes this a risky…read more

The Cowboys will travel to Los Angeles for Week 1's matchup versus the Rams.

Analysis: The Cowboys' secondary has some question marks without CB Byron Jones (to Miami) and CB Jourdan Lewis (knee), but the defense still has one of the best front sevens in the league. DE DeMarcus Lawrence can put pressure on QB Jared Goff, and the defensive line should be able to handle the Rams' low-tier offensive line. The Rams may be pass-heavy with an uncertain backfield, though, and the Cowboys' cornerbacks could crumble under that pressure, as they're still untested and unproven. It's a…read more

The Cowboys signed DE Everson Griffen to a one-year contract Aug. 12.

Analysis: Dallas lost sack-leader Robert Quinn to free agency over the offseason, but it bolstered it's defensive line by signing DT Dontari Poe and DE Aldon Smith before the late signing of Griffen. The departure of top cover CB Byron Jones also looms large, and second-round pick Trevon Diggs will have big shoes to fill. The Cowboys ranked ninth in total defense (327.0 YPG) and 11th in scoring (20.1 PPG), but was tied-25th in takeaways. Barring a major resurgence from the likes of Griffen or Smith --…read more

Dallas allowed 17 points and 431 yards to the Eagles in Week 16 and play Washington on Sunday.

Analysis: The score doesn't exactly jump off the page, but the fact that QB Carson Wentz averaged 8.0 yards per pass while having Greg Ward as his top wide receiver provides a solid idea of the Cowboys' defensive issues. Dallas had one sack and zero takeaways. The Redskins have struggled offensively all season but have scored 27 and 35 points in the last two games, so this matchup may not prove as fruitful as the numbers would suggest. Still, the Cowboys D/ST remains a decent, albeit unexciting, option…read more

The Cowboys allowed 289 yards and 21 points during the Week 15 win over the Rams and play the Eagles on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas had a quality defensive performance, but two fourth-quarter, garbage-time touchdowns limited its fantasy output since it had only two sacks and one takeaway. It's been an issue all season for the Cowboys, as they rank tied-27th in takeaways (15) and are middle of the pack in sacks (36). The Eagles have a depleted wide receiving corps which has made things difficult for QB Carson Wentz, and the Cowboys also held them to 283 yards and 10 points in the previous meeting. This is a solid…read more

The Cowboys allowed 382 yards and 31 points during the Week 14 loss to the Bears and play the Rams on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas had two takeaways and two sacks, but for the most part were unable hold down Chicago's offense. It was the first time in the last five games the Cowboys forced a turnover, a category in which they're ranked tied-26th (14 takeaways). Los Angeles has struggled with giveaways (22) and been marred by inconsistency this season, but it can still put up a load of points in the right matchup. The Dallas D/ST hasn't shown enough playmaking to be more than a middling option for Week 15.

The Cowboys gave up 356 yards during the Week 13, 26-15 loss to the Bills and will play the Bears on Thursday.

Analysis: Dallas did record four sacks but didn't have a takeaway as QB Josh Allen averaged 8.0 yards per pass and had only five incompletions. The Cowboys ranked 26th in the league in takeaways (12) and are middle of the pack in sacks (32). The Bears have been offensively inept for most of the season (281.8 YPG and 17.7 PPG), but they generally take good care of the ball (13 giveaways). The Dallas D/ST's lack of playmakers keeps this from being a more appealing matchup, but it remains a decent fantasy…read more

The Cowboys allowed 282 yards in Sunday's 13-9 loss to the Patriots and will play the Bills on Sunday.

Analysis: On paper New England was a matchup worth staying away from for Dallas, but heavy wind and rain limited the scoring in Week 12. The Cowboys had two sacks but didn't record a turnover. The Bills feature a heavy rushing attack (139.2 YPG), which is led by rookie RB Devin Singletary, who's averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Buffalo is middle of the pack in sacks allowed (24) and giveaways (13), but they do struggle to score at times (21 PPG). The Cowboys struggle to force turnovers (12) and are middle…read more

The Cowboys surrendered 312 yards and 27 points to the Lions in Week 11 and will play the Patriots on Sunday.

Analysis: Dallas managed three sacks and didn't record a takeaway against backup QB Jeff Driskel, putting forth a second straight dud of a performance. Things won't get any easier Week 12 in Foxborough. The Cowboys rank seventh in total defense (322.1 YPG) and scoring (19.7 PPG), but they struggle to force turnovers and are coming off back-to-back poor outings. The Dallas D/ST isn't worth trusting this week in New England.

Dallas gave up 364 yards in Sunday's 28-24 loss to Minnesota and will play Detroit in Week 11.

Analysis: The Cowboys had only one sack and didn't force a turnover, so they didn't reward fantasy owners who stuck with them versus the Vikings. The Lions will potentially be without QB Matthew Stafford (back) for the second straight game, which would make the Cowboys a popular D/ST option for this week. Stafford's availability for Week 11 will drastically impact the attractiveness of this matchup.