Trevon Diggs Says Cowboys Have ‘No Identity’ on Defense After Loss to Panthers

The beleaguered Dallas Cowboys defense gave up 410 yards of offense and 30 points to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the main ingredient in a loss that moved them to 2-3-1 on the season.

While the team’s offense continues to play well, the defense has been arguably the worst in the NFL, and cornerback Trevon Diggs knows it.

“Yeah it’s very frustrating,” he told reporters after Sunday’s 30-27 loss. “It’s all these points (given up), the receivers are running wide open down the field, too many busted coverages. It’s a lot. I feel like we’re all over the place and we really don’t have no identity.”

The lack of identity part of those remarks feels like a veiled indictment of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, though head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly supported him after the loss.

“Matt’s a great coach,” he told reporters. “Everywhere he’s ever been he’s had good defenses. It’s not just Matt by himself. Matt’s trying. The players are trying. This is not a lack of effort.”

He added that whether or not the players believe in Eberflus’ scheme is the “bigger thing. I would hope so. I would think so.”

Something is certainly lacking, whether that’s the scheme, execution or simply the talent on the defensive side of the ball (trading away an elite pass-rusher in Micah Parsons certainly hasn’t helped). The Cowboys have now allowed 30 or more points in five straight games, and were it not for Dak Prescott and an offense that has scored 30 or more points three times and 40 or more points twice, the team’s record would be far worse.

The Cowboys now face the Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals before a Week 10 bye. If they don’t figure out their defensive woes soon, a few heads may roll come the bye.

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