Cris Collinsworth rips Cowboys defense after first half two-minute drill meltdown
The first NFL Sunday of the season has produced several highly anticipated matchups that delivered in a big way. The final game on Sunday’s schedule featured the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in a prime-time showdown.
The first half delivered several big plays, with the Giants taking a 14-7 lead into halftime. However, the Cowboys defense is already back under the microscope following a rough ending to the opening half.
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Fresh off a Dak Prescott interception, Dallas had a chance to limit the damage against the Giants offense. After all, less than a minute remained on the clock. Instead, New York marched down the field and capped a two-minute drill with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to Isaiah Likely.
“I thought I saw some bad defense out of the Cowboys last year, that sequence was as bad as it gets.” – @CollinsworthPFFpic.twitter.com/J5TPQCvINH
— PFF (@PFF) September 14, 2026
Cris Collinsworth didn’t hold back following the Cowboys’ defensive breakdown. “I thought I saw some bad defense out of the Cowboys last year, that sequence was as bad as it gets.” Collinsworth said.
Cowboys defense off to a rough start early
Through the first half, the Giants offense has been efficient. New York gained 213 yards, including 80 rushing yards, while averaging 6.9 yards per play.
The Giants also dominated the Cowboys on third down, converting four of five attempts in the first half. Dallas now has to figure out how to slow down an offense that has consistently moved the ball.
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Fortunately for the Cowboys, they remain within one score. However, the breakdown during the two-minute drill highlighted some of the concerns that followed this defense throughout last season.
Dallas struggled a lot defensively in 2025, particularly against the run and in possession down situations. The Cowboys allowed opponents to score 30.1 points per game in 2025, putting pressure on the offense to keep pace in shootouts.
That cannot continue if Dallas hopes to take the next step in 2026. The Cowboys need their defense to become a more consistent unit capable of creating stops when the offense needs them.
The season is only beginning, but the first half against the Giants offered an early reminder that Dallas has plenty to prove defensively. The Cowboys will need to clean up those mistakes quickly if they want to avoid another frustrating season on that side of the ball.
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