Cowboys' Brian Schottenheimer Reveals 'Painful' Truths On Defense

Analyzing the Dallas Cowboys' defense this season under new coordinator Christian Parker has been sometimes tough to endure and sometimes tough to do.

And in the 34-30 win over the Houston Texans, there was some good, but a lot of bad.

Granted, as they are likely still getting used to Parker's way of doing things, many thought that the defense would be far better than what it has shown through four weeks.

Yes, there has been improvement, but not enough for some.

Against Houston, Dallas allowed only three third-down conversions, got a couple of sacks, and gave up just 62 yards on the ground. Plus, they forced back-to-back three-and-outs twice in the game. 

So that is the good. 

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The bad was that Nico Collins torched the secondary. C.J. Stroud threw for 347 yards and 2 TDs, and they allowed a 97-yard drive late that put the Texans up 30-27.

But in reviewing the game, how does head coach Brian Schottenheimer balance ripping the team for its failures versus praising them for what they did right?

"I try to point out the facts," Schottenheimer said. "Third-down defense, outstanding, run defense, excellent, bunch of three-and-outs. You point those things out, but we also talked about the plan to win. We gave up too many explosives, and we wanted to take Nico Collins out of the game. Well, we did a piss poor job of doing that.

"So, when you lose, it's painful, and it hurts. When you win, you celebrate. So, I think you find the positives because you want to celebrate those things."

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It is a balancing act, and the cold, hard truth is that the Cowboys yet again gave up 30 points.

We have seen in flashes what this defense can do, and the multiple three-and-outs are something to cling to. If only the offense took that opportunity and scored. Then we might be having a different conversation.

But a lack of consistency has been the theme of Parker's defense through the first four weeks, and there's no real confidence this group can stop anyone right now, giving up at least 378 yards of total offense in every game.

Plus, every quarterback that plays Dallas, has a field day. Stroud had a 126.7 rating, Lamar Jackson 136.7, Jayden Daniels 99.1, Marcus Mariota 109.1, and Jaxson Dart 134.2.

So yes, there is some good, but also a lot of bad, and sooner or later this train has to get rolling in the right direction.

Otherwise, it will be another wasted season of having one of the best offenses in football.

Those are the facts.