Winners and Losers: Cowboys defense implodes, pride vs Team Tank

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Dec 24, 2025 - 18:00
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Winners and Losers: Cowboys defense implodes, pride vs Team Tank

Dallas was officially eliminated before they took the field against the Los Angeles Chargers and although the spirit of the team didn't wane at the start, a testament to Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the second half collapse felt like the absolute end. The loss also marks the last time the Cowboys will play at AT&T stadium until August of 2026.

With the 2025 season officially a lost cause, Cowboys fans have taken to social media and voiced their displeasure, none more than the typical "I'm done" quotes. Armed with two first-round draft picks and a surplus of blue-chip defensive talent in the draft, the inevitable will happen and they will return after cooler heads prevail. Until then, a scathing review of what went wrong is the only alternative in this weeks winners and losers list.

Loser: Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus

Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has had a standing reservation on the losers list all season long and despite his new coaching perch, the Dallas defense was just as miserable against the Chargers as they have been against virtually every other team this season.

Only seven teams in NFL history have allowed 500 points in a season and Dallas, who has allowed an average of 30.3 points a game, is on the verge of becoming the eighth. With two games remaining, the Cowboys sit 45 points shy of this dubious distinction.

Two teams in the NFL average more than 30 points a game (Lions 30.6, Rams 30.5), meaning almost every Cowboys opponent scores as much as the top-ranked offenses in the NFL against them.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL and with an offense line ravaged with injures, the Cowboys somehow managed to go the entire game without taking him down.

This Cowboys team is only the second club in the last 40 years to lead the league in passing while giving up the most passing yards. Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated Eberflus will not be fired before season's end, indications point to his tenure ending once the season is complete, mercifully.

Winner: Team Tank

Losing as many games possible after being mathematically eliminated is strategically the best option for the Cowboys' future as it improves their draft positioning. On the opposite end of things, winning and building confidence is also important.

No matter which side is preferred, if the draft were to be held today, Dallas would have the 13th selection.

The loss against Los Angeles helped Dallas in the draft standings. With two games remaining, the Cowboys could get inside the top ten and perhaps all the way down to eighth pick if their losing ways continue. To paraphrase the words of Pulp Fiction's Marsellus Wallace, not doing so is pride messing with you.

On the flip side, if Dallas continues to try and win and not anger the football gods, the Cowboys could fall all the way down to the 18th spot which is the playoff team cutoff spot. The result would decrease their draft value but finishing strong could sway player decisions going into next season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott doesn't take the game for granted and quitting with two games remaining isn't in his character. So while Team Tank took the win Sunday, don't expect Dallas to close the season without any fight.

Loser: Tyler Guyton

Despite a second-year resurgence, rumors swirled that Dallas wanted to replace tackle Tyler Guyton and things came to fruition Sunday after the Chargers loss when it was revealed that the former first-round pick will not return to the left side.

Tyler Smith was announced as the starter against Los Angeles and is to remain there for the duration of the season.

Although his position may not be given back, perhaps this opens up the possibility of Guyton returning his old college position on the right side as a possible replacement for Terence Steele who has been mentioned as a potential cap-casualty in Dallas this upcoming offseason.

Speculation aside, the so called "blind side" is the more profitable of the two positions and a move only serves to hurt Guyton in the long run even if he were to be retained with a second contract later on down the line.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Winners and Losers: Cowboys defense implodes, pride vs Team Tank

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