Ed Werder calls Cowboys defense a liability for playoff push

Tests against the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks and Jaguars loom.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

The defense is a huge liability. Hard to imagine playoff success with this defense. Let’s see what happens when they pla Via @WerderEdNFL on X

What happened: Ed Werder assessed the Dallas Cowboys' defense as a major liability capable of derailing the franchise's postseason ambitions. The assessment followed owner and general manager Jerry Jones addressing on 105.3 The Fan how much longer Dallas can tolerate the unit surrendering chunk plays.

Why it matters: Dallas sits 11th in the NFC at 3-4 despite a 38-21 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Werder pointed to matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars as the true gauge of whether the defense can hold up.

By the numbers: The Cowboys (3-4, No. 11 seed) enter the stretch following a 38-21 win at Philadelphia on Oct. 26. Among the upcoming opponents on the slate, Jacksonville sits 4-2 (No. 4 seed) after a 34-31 loss to Houston on Oct. 18, while the Rams are 3-4 (No. 10 seed) coming off a 35-21 road win over Las Vegas on Oct. 25.

What to watch: Dallas faces pressure to tighten its defensive coverage and limit explosive plays ahead of the NFL trade deadline and upcoming matchups against NFC West and AFC South contenders.

Sources

@WerderEdNFL 2026-10-27T14:45:46.627512+00:00

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Ed Werder calls Cowboys defense a liability for playoff push

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