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Eberflus Report Week 17 - We Approach The End
The Cowboys got a win, but it would probably be generous to credit the defensive effort.
Bob Sturm
Dec 31, 2025
Our objectives today will be:
OVERALL DEFENSIVE EVALUATION
Our weekly looks at the defense have not been very fun. In less than a week we will be allowed to imagine a future defense with a bit more potential to not be so disappointing.
This, of course, is how we get the phrase that “hope springs eternal” because there is nothing that gives us hope like the start of an offseason.
It can all be reimagined, this time we learn from our mistakes, and head forward with hope in our hearts. This time, we will do better.
Well, evidently, they can’t do worse. In 66 years of Cowboys football, we have officially found one with the very worst ability to concede points — 477 of them through 16 games is as bad as we have ever seen.
An incredible 29.8 points per game against.
And for the third time in Dak Prescott’s prime, he has been saddled with a silly effort from the defense (Tony Romo nods in approval). As you can see, he has helped generate 454 points this season (28.4 ppg), but they cannot outscore their defensive sins.
A quick perusal of this list offers us the fates of those responsible:
2020 - Mike Nolan was fired on January 7, 2021
2024 - Mike Zimmer “will not return” January 26, 2025
2010 - Wade Phillips fired on November 8, 2010.
2013 - Monte Kiffin was demoted on January 27, 2014.
We can only assume that Matt Eberflus will soon follow, regardless of if the Cowboys are able to sneak in under the 500 points-allowed barrier. Apparently, the all-time record for points allowed in a season would require the Giants to score 58 Sunday and I just don’t see a scenario where they can get that done.
But, it would seem the 500-club is possible. And then, maybe we can start to figure out how to avoid this nonsense again in 2026.
The Logan Wilson imbroglio.
Speaking of nonsense, we have to discuss this Logan Wilson story, I’d say.
Let’s start with this screenshot of the official game book and note the linebackers:
We have 3 linebackers in green as Kenneth Murray played every snap of the game (again). Shemar James played almost every snap and Marist Liufau played two snaps. Then, in the “Did not play” category, there is usually just one name – the backup QB. These guys are active, but unused. Very uncommon in the NFL. And then the inactive list.
So, you can see, Logan Wilson was active, ready, healthy and probably quite confused because he never played.
So, what happened? Well, this is hard to believe, but according to the coach himself, they completely forgot about him. As the Dallas Morning News wrote today:
Meanwhile, you traded for a guy to give you an option from Murray and a guy who is in the mix to take this job for 2026 at the very latest.
Yet, Logan Wilson has been very lightly played and this is a bit of a mystery. But, after playing 170 snaps in six games (about 28 a game) he plays zero in this game….because you forgot about him?
This is not that dissimilar to the little league coach forgetting about your son and never putting him in the game, but this is a NFL team that just traded for this guy to replace what was not working all season long? What in the world is happening here?
The exit of Trevon Diggs is here.
Also, the Cowboys have released Trevon Diggs. We have no idea why they have decided to do this, but we also know it was going to happen this spring almost certainly, so maybe they did him a favor by allowing him to beat the masses to the free agency market and he could conceivably even grab a spot for these playoffs if he can pull it off.
Allow me to take you back to August when we did our annual Cowboys roster rankings. I wrote this in his profile:
Everyone did.
I don’t know how things went south with him – he had the audacity to get hurt – but, again, the Cowboys and Diggs have been headed in this direction for some time and nobody really believed anything would change in this matter.
We have seen it happen a fair amount and I am sure both sides have a dispute or two to settle and explain it all, but for me, it is another case where a player becomes a big earner for this organization and then almost immediately, his days are numbered. Terence Steele, you would probably be next in this category of players who no longer have guaranteed money and therefore will probably be sent away due to results not being at All-Pro levels. It definitely makes you wonder how things would be different if this sport had guaranteed contracts.
Regardless, Diggs was their best cover corner, but he was never the same after his 2023 injury and now we can add this as another need to their defense. In 2024, we did the roster rankings and the top three defenders were: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs.
Now, 16 months later, none of them are Cowboys and the Cowboys defense is awful. There is plenty of work to be done.
This Washington game was bizarre end product for the defense, yet again. They were not on the field much, but boy, they surrendered the season-high yards per play at 8 yards per snap! That is pretty hard to do, given how bad the defense has been this year.
It is pretty hard to believe, but it is just the 6th time in Cowboys history they have given up 8 yards per play for an entire game – the first time since 2013! So, I realize they won comfortably, but we probably shouldn’t think the defense had much to do with it. Washington was actually getting plenty done with big plays and such, but they just weren’t able to get their hands on the ball.
Checking in on Shavon Revel
So, if Trevon Diggs is gone, the idea must be that Shavon Revel will be a starter for this team. I want to be clear, I loved the prospect and the pick back in the spring, so I believe this is a very good player and he will have a bright career for Dallas.
But, this has been a bumpy rookie season since he got on the field in November. In fact, according to PFF, there are 17 rookie corners in the league who have played enough snaps to be graded and Revel is 17th of the 17. That doesn’t offer much context, but if you are watching the games, you can see the opponents are going after him without much mercy.
Here is Josh Johnson and the Commanders making sure Revel is plenty busy with these cut-ups.
Revel is playing in his rookie season in which he missed camp and everything due to his knee situation and I am willing to act like none of this matters here in 2025.
He can come to camp next year and use this experience to show him what will be expected, but from where I currently sit, it is clear he is being picked on and also clear he is not really playing with any edge at all or tackling acumen. Several of you wanted me to give you a look at Revel and I have, but I think it is best if we give him a full fresh start for 2026 and not dig too deep here on this stuff. He is being welcomed to the toughest level of football in the world.
Jadeveon Clowney - Pro’s Pro
Meanwhile, Jadeveon Clowney had a very nice game on Christmas and continues to shine. If he had a few more weeks, there is little question he would win the splash play title in 2025, but I just want to tip my cap to how hard he plays and how well he hustles around the field like every play matters. You need guys like him in your huddle and I wasn’t sure what to expect from him this year, but I do want to recognize that he has been very good.
Who would have thought your best edge rusher this season wasn’t even in a NFL camp, but it has been that kind of year around here. Very odd season to say the least.
FILM STUDY
OK, let’s look at some of these big plays from this game and call it a week.
1Q - 8:23 - 1-10-WAS 37 - J.Johnson pass short right to T.McLaurin pushed ob at DAL 47 for 16 yards (M.Hooker).
This is an early indication of how they wanted to deal with Revel out there against Terry McClaurin. Nothing huge here, but a play-action rollout right and a pass to McLaurin against Cover 3 and it forces Revel to try to get him to the ground and he does not. Quick 16 and the Commanders are on the move.
1Q - 7:45 - 1-10-DAL 47 - J.Johnson pass short right to D.Samuel pushed ob at DAL 6 for 41 yards (D.Wilson; S.Revel).
OK, very next play and the Commanders now want the tunnel screen to Deebo Samuel against Cover 1 and Revel again. Revel has to meet that block with more physicality, but he is not up to that. Meanwhile, this is the first play where Clowney sprinting popped off the screen and then Deebo in the open field meets Donovan Wilson. I think we have seen Deebo enough in this league to know that this is how he really makes a difference. Basically a RB in a WR position.
2Q - 11:25 - 2-12-WAS 27 - J.Johnson pass deep middle to D.Samuel to DAL 46 for 27 yards (S.Revel).
Now, the Commanders come back in the second quarter and this time Trevon Diggs is on Samuel with play-action and a dig route in front of the safety. Again, no pass rush to speak of so a very comfortable explosive play snap for Johnson to hit Deebo and he is off into the secondary. Even with a LB blitz, nobody is close to the passer and he is able to take his time and deliver an easy throw.
2Q - 7:00 - 1-10-WAS 40 - D.Samuel right end to DAL 31 for 29 yards (M.Hooker; D.Ezeiruaku).
If there is something that Dallas has not defended well all year, it is the misdirection plays that require the linebackers to sniff out what is happening before it is too late. Here, Shemar James and Kenneth Murray are hung up in the middle and Donovan Wilson gets flattened in the flat, so Deebo has nothing but green grass ahead of him as Dallas isn’t very close to defending this with numbers or contain ability. It is the type of play that has to be defended and Washington is right to ask this question as a drive starter.
3Q - 9:44 - 1-10-WAS 28 - J.Croskey-Merritt right tackle for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is the play that should inspire the entire offseason. Never will you see a more beautifully blocked running play that is a completely simple concept but every single Cowboy loses their battle so easily that Croskey-Merritt is barely touched. He has good juice, but should never be this easy. Everyone loses. In fairness to your linebackers, when OL can just fire right to the 2nd level without being bothered, it makes everyone’s life impossible. This is how you give up 8 yards a play, by the way. This is just way too easy.
SPLASH PLAYS vs Washington
Splash Play 2025 Leaderboard
The Cowboys got a win, but it would probably be generous to credit the defensive effort.
Bob Sturm
Dec 31, 2025
Our objectives today will be:
- Overall Defensive Evaluation - The End Is Near
- The Logan Wilson imbroglio.
- The exit of Trevon Diggs is here.
- Checking in on Shavon Revel
- Jadeveon Clowney - Pro’s Pro
- Film Study
- Splash Plays
OVERALL DEFENSIVE EVALUATION
Our weekly looks at the defense have not been very fun. In less than a week we will be allowed to imagine a future defense with a bit more potential to not be so disappointing.
This, of course, is how we get the phrase that “hope springs eternal” because there is nothing that gives us hope like the start of an offseason.
It can all be reimagined, this time we learn from our mistakes, and head forward with hope in our hearts. This time, we will do better.
Well, evidently, they can’t do worse. In 66 years of Cowboys football, we have officially found one with the very worst ability to concede points — 477 of them through 16 games is as bad as we have ever seen.
An incredible 29.8 points per game against.
And for the third time in Dak Prescott’s prime, he has been saddled with a silly effort from the defense (Tony Romo nods in approval). As you can see, he has helped generate 454 points this season (28.4 ppg), but they cannot outscore their defensive sins.
A quick perusal of this list offers us the fates of those responsible:
2020 - Mike Nolan was fired on January 7, 2021
2024 - Mike Zimmer “will not return” January 26, 2025
2010 - Wade Phillips fired on November 8, 2010.
2013 - Monte Kiffin was demoted on January 27, 2014.
We can only assume that Matt Eberflus will soon follow, regardless of if the Cowboys are able to sneak in under the 500 points-allowed barrier. Apparently, the all-time record for points allowed in a season would require the Giants to score 58 Sunday and I just don’t see a scenario where they can get that done.
But, it would seem the 500-club is possible. And then, maybe we can start to figure out how to avoid this nonsense again in 2026.
The Logan Wilson imbroglio.
Speaking of nonsense, we have to discuss this Logan Wilson story, I’d say.
Let’s start with this screenshot of the official game book and note the linebackers:
We have 3 linebackers in green as Kenneth Murray played every snap of the game (again). Shemar James played almost every snap and Marist Liufau played two snaps. Then, in the “Did not play” category, there is usually just one name – the backup QB. These guys are active, but unused. Very uncommon in the NFL. And then the inactive list.
So, you can see, Logan Wilson was active, ready, healthy and probably quite confused because he never played.
So, what happened? Well, this is hard to believe, but according to the coach himself, they completely forgot about him. As the Dallas Morning News wrote today:
I am just amazed and amused at this one. So, they have a linebacker who has been very poor all season and he plays every snap in a Week 17 game after you have been eliminated from the postseason. The clear-minded thinking should be that we are moving on and looking at guys who will be here in 2026. I am positive that cannot include Kenneth Murray. But, again, he plays every snap.
Meanwhile, you traded for a guy to give you an option from Murray and a guy who is in the mix to take this job for 2026 at the very latest.
Yet, Logan Wilson has been very lightly played and this is a bit of a mystery. But, after playing 170 snaps in six games (about 28 a game) he plays zero in this game….because you forgot about him?
This is not that dissimilar to the little league coach forgetting about your son and never putting him in the game, but this is a NFL team that just traded for this guy to replace what was not working all season long? What in the world is happening here?
The exit of Trevon Diggs is here.
Also, the Cowboys have released Trevon Diggs. We have no idea why they have decided to do this, but we also know it was going to happen this spring almost certainly, so maybe they did him a favor by allowing him to beat the masses to the free agency market and he could conceivably even grab a spot for these playoffs if he can pull it off.
Allow me to take you back to August when we did our annual Cowboys roster rankings. I wrote this in his profile:
If it feels like we called this one a year ago, it is because we did.
Everyone did.
I don’t know how things went south with him – he had the audacity to get hurt – but, again, the Cowboys and Diggs have been headed in this direction for some time and nobody really believed anything would change in this matter.
We have seen it happen a fair amount and I am sure both sides have a dispute or two to settle and explain it all, but for me, it is another case where a player becomes a big earner for this organization and then almost immediately, his days are numbered. Terence Steele, you would probably be next in this category of players who no longer have guaranteed money and therefore will probably be sent away due to results not being at All-Pro levels. It definitely makes you wonder how things would be different if this sport had guaranteed contracts.
Regardless, Diggs was their best cover corner, but he was never the same after his 2023 injury and now we can add this as another need to their defense. In 2024, we did the roster rankings and the top three defenders were: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs.
Now, 16 months later, none of them are Cowboys and the Cowboys defense is awful. There is plenty of work to be done.
This Washington game was bizarre end product for the defense, yet again. They were not on the field much, but boy, they surrendered the season-high yards per play at 8 yards per snap! That is pretty hard to do, given how bad the defense has been this year.
It is pretty hard to believe, but it is just the 6th time in Cowboys history they have given up 8 yards per play for an entire game – the first time since 2013! So, I realize they won comfortably, but we probably shouldn’t think the defense had much to do with it. Washington was actually getting plenty done with big plays and such, but they just weren’t able to get their hands on the ball.
Checking in on Shavon Revel
So, if Trevon Diggs is gone, the idea must be that Shavon Revel will be a starter for this team. I want to be clear, I loved the prospect and the pick back in the spring, so I believe this is a very good player and he will have a bright career for Dallas.
But, this has been a bumpy rookie season since he got on the field in November. In fact, according to PFF, there are 17 rookie corners in the league who have played enough snaps to be graded and Revel is 17th of the 17. That doesn’t offer much context, but if you are watching the games, you can see the opponents are going after him without much mercy.
Here is Josh Johnson and the Commanders making sure Revel is plenty busy with these cut-ups.
Revel is playing in his rookie season in which he missed camp and everything due to his knee situation and I am willing to act like none of this matters here in 2025.
He can come to camp next year and use this experience to show him what will be expected, but from where I currently sit, it is clear he is being picked on and also clear he is not really playing with any edge at all or tackling acumen. Several of you wanted me to give you a look at Revel and I have, but I think it is best if we give him a full fresh start for 2026 and not dig too deep here on this stuff. He is being welcomed to the toughest level of football in the world.
Jadeveon Clowney - Pro’s Pro
Meanwhile, Jadeveon Clowney had a very nice game on Christmas and continues to shine. If he had a few more weeks, there is little question he would win the splash play title in 2025, but I just want to tip my cap to how hard he plays and how well he hustles around the field like every play matters. You need guys like him in your huddle and I wasn’t sure what to expect from him this year, but I do want to recognize that he has been very good.
Who would have thought your best edge rusher this season wasn’t even in a NFL camp, but it has been that kind of year around here. Very odd season to say the least.
FILM STUDY
OK, let’s look at some of these big plays from this game and call it a week.
1Q - 8:23 - 1-10-WAS 37 - J.Johnson pass short right to T.McLaurin pushed ob at DAL 47 for 16 yards (M.Hooker).
This is an early indication of how they wanted to deal with Revel out there against Terry McClaurin. Nothing huge here, but a play-action rollout right and a pass to McLaurin against Cover 3 and it forces Revel to try to get him to the ground and he does not. Quick 16 and the Commanders are on the move.
1Q - 7:45 - 1-10-DAL 47 - J.Johnson pass short right to D.Samuel pushed ob at DAL 6 for 41 yards (D.Wilson; S.Revel).
OK, very next play and the Commanders now want the tunnel screen to Deebo Samuel against Cover 1 and Revel again. Revel has to meet that block with more physicality, but he is not up to that. Meanwhile, this is the first play where Clowney sprinting popped off the screen and then Deebo in the open field meets Donovan Wilson. I think we have seen Deebo enough in this league to know that this is how he really makes a difference. Basically a RB in a WR position.
2Q - 11:25 - 2-12-WAS 27 - J.Johnson pass deep middle to D.Samuel to DAL 46 for 27 yards (S.Revel).
Now, the Commanders come back in the second quarter and this time Trevon Diggs is on Samuel with play-action and a dig route in front of the safety. Again, no pass rush to speak of so a very comfortable explosive play snap for Johnson to hit Deebo and he is off into the secondary. Even with a LB blitz, nobody is close to the passer and he is able to take his time and deliver an easy throw.
2Q - 7:00 - 1-10-WAS 40 - D.Samuel right end to DAL 31 for 29 yards (M.Hooker; D.Ezeiruaku).
If there is something that Dallas has not defended well all year, it is the misdirection plays that require the linebackers to sniff out what is happening before it is too late. Here, Shemar James and Kenneth Murray are hung up in the middle and Donovan Wilson gets flattened in the flat, so Deebo has nothing but green grass ahead of him as Dallas isn’t very close to defending this with numbers or contain ability. It is the type of play that has to be defended and Washington is right to ask this question as a drive starter.
3Q - 9:44 - 1-10-WAS 28 - J.Croskey-Merritt right tackle for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is the play that should inspire the entire offseason. Never will you see a more beautifully blocked running play that is a completely simple concept but every single Cowboy loses their battle so easily that Croskey-Merritt is barely touched. He has good juice, but should never be this easy. Everyone loses. In fairness to your linebackers, when OL can just fire right to the 2nd level without being bothered, it makes everyone’s life impossible. This is how you give up 8 yards a play, by the way. This is just way too easy.
SPLASH PLAYS vs Washington
Splash Play 2025 Leaderboard
