At some point, changes have to be made. The Dallas Cowboys should not be losing 30-27 to the Carolina Panthers like they did on Sunday. 

They should not be settling for a 23 and a 28 yard field goal. They should not be limited to 31 rushing yards, and they shouldn’t be headed home with a losing record. 

But, as frustrating as the offense has been, they shouldn’t have to be perfect. The defense shouldn’t put them in a position where they have to be. 

The defense should not be giving up 183 yards to Rico Dowdle and making him look like prime Emmitt Smith. They shouldn't be giving the Panthers hope that Bryce Young could actually be the guy for them. 

Dak Prescott did everything he could, passing Troy Aikman for second on the team’s all time passing list on the way to a 261 yard, three touchdown, zero, turnover day. The offensive line stepped up too, as Dak wasn’t sacked all game. 

George Pickens showed that he might be closer to being 1B to CeeDee Lamb as opposed to number 2 when the latter returns, logging nine catches for 167 yards and a fantastic touchdown catch. And, Jake Ferguson continued his touchdown streak, catching one for the third straight game. 

But, the run game faltered, as Javonte Williams was limited for 29 yards on 13 carries and Jaydon Blue getting zero yards on his three totes. A bad game, but again, the offense shouldn’t have to be perfect. 

As long as the defense plays like this, though, they’ll have to be. The question now becomes if it’s personnel, scheme, or both. 

Few players encapsulate this question better than Donovan Wilson. A long time vet, it’s been known for a while that Wilson is an above average run defender but limited in coverage. 

So why, we’re all asking, is Matt Eberflus insisting on playing him deep? Yes, Malik Hooker is out and roles are adjusting due to that, but they’re not putting Wilson in a position to succeed. 

And that, more than anything, is a coach’s job: realize what your players can do, can’t do, and put them in position to do the latter as little as possible.  For whatever reason, Eberflus either can’t or won’t do that. 

Yes, the personnel on the Dallas roster is limited and lacks upper echelon talent. But it’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools, and while Eberflus’ blades may not be the sharpest, they’re certainly not dull. 

The questions now are how much longer he’ll be allowed to try and build something meaningful in Dallas, and how much longer Brian Schotenheimmer can allow him to try.