Cowboys Defense Faces Critical Test against Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys defense is under scrutiny, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus faces pressure to demonstrate improvement throughout the remainder of the 2025 regular season. The team has struggled across all defensive levels, wiht linebacker performance being a especially unexpected area of weakness given Eberflus’s previous experience with the Cowboys. However,the cowboys have also dealt with injuries at the linebacker position.
The Cowboys will welcome newly acquired Logan Wilson, traded from the Cincinnati Bengals, and see the return of DeMarvion Overshown, who is recovering from an ACL and MCL injury sustained last season. This influx of talent could signal a shift away from the recent reliance on kenneth Murray and rookie Shemar James for the majority of snaps at linebacker.A key component to bolstering linebacker play is the Cowboys’ ongoing effort to improve depth at defensive tackle. A stronger rotation of tackles, alongside edge defenders focused on run stopping, is expected to help prevent offensive linemen from reaching the second level and creating running lanes for opponents.
This defensive adjustment needs to be evident promptly when the Cowboys face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has yet to consistently find success on the ground,but his most notable gains have come running between the tackles – an area where the Cowboys believe they now have their strongest run defenders. The Raiders will likely need to vary Jeanty’s running direction to find traction against a Cowboys run defense that still needs to prove its solidity.
The challenge extends beyond stopping the run. The Cowboys will also need to account for Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, their leading receiver. Dallas struggled to contain a similar receiving tight end, Trey McBride, during their game against the Cardinals, and will need a better plan to defend Bowers in the middle of the field. While Bowers had limited production against the Broncos (one catch for 31 yards), fellow tight end Michael Mayer was a significant receiving threat with three catches. receiver Tyler Lockett, who led Las Vegas with five receptions for 44 yards, also thrives in the middle of the field and poses a threat to linebackers with run-after-catch opportunities.
improved play from the linebacker corps is crucial for both the immediate outcome of the game and the long-term outlook of the Cowboys defense. Given the team’s investment of draft picks and resources in strengthening the defensive trenches, a strong linebacking group is a logical next step in building a more physical team. If Dallas can demonstrate improvement at linebacker in Las Vegas, forcing Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to rely on throws downfield and outside the numbers, they will substantially increase their chances of securing a crucial win.
