Although we’re less than a quarter of the way into the 2024 NFL season, there are already several teams that have defied preseason expectations, for better or worse. No team’s season is over after three games, but several are struggling because units that were expected to represent strengths have been weaknesses instead.
Below we take a look at a few offenses and defenses that have yet to live up to expectations this season.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats are courtesy of TruMedia.
Why Has the Cowboys’ Offense Struggled?
The Dallas Cowboys started the season with a flourish, dropping 20 points on the overmatched Cleveland Browns in the first half of Week 1. And while the Dak Prescott-led unit finished Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a flurry, the unit had scored only 38 points over its prior nine quarters.
The lack of viable offensive options outside of CeeDee Lamb has plagued the unit so far. Prescott is averaging 9.1 yards per attempt when targeting Lamb but 6.5 when throwing to any other player in the offense. Coupled with a running game that ranks 29th with just 3.6 yards per rush, it’s unsurprising that the Cowboys have suffered long scoring droughts the last two weeks.
Dallas was an offensive powerhouse at home last year, but their much more pedestrian form on the road appears to be closer to the level at which the 2024 offense will operate. Given the personnel shortcomings outside of Lamb, it’s difficult to imagine the Cowboys’ offense seeing significant improvement with this roster.
Can the Cowboys’ Defense Turn Things Around?
That’s right, both Dallas units are on this list after the last two weeks. The Cowboys have started slowly under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. In the last two weeks against the New Orleans Saints and Ravens, Dallas has been outscored 56-22 in the first half.
The defense subsisted off big plays under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. During Quinn’s three-year run from 2021-23, the Cowboys ranked first in takeaways (93) and sixth in sacks (141).
But after generating six sacks and two takeaways in the Week 1 win at Cleveland, the Cowboys have just one of each over the last two games. And a week after the Saints bludgeoned them for 190 rush yards, the run defense was shredded by Derrick Henry and the Ravens for 274 yards. The Cowboys are now last in run defense, allowing over 185 rush yards per game and 5.4 yards per rush.
Confirmed: Derrick Henry is big, fast, and strong 😤
📺: #BALvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/9Qeazl0Tsz— NFL (@NFL)
The schedule eases up the next two weeks with a pair of road games against the offensively challenged New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. But until Dallas recaptures some of its big-play explosiveness on defense, the unit does not appear capable of stringing together consistent stops over multiple drives.
Why Has the 49ers’ Defense Declined?
The Niners looked like their Super Bowl selves in their season-opening romp over the New York Jets but have since dropped two straight. And while losing on the road to the surprising Minnesota Vikings is one thing, few would have expected San Francisco to lose to a depleted Los Angeles Rams team missing Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and multiple offensive line starters.
The 49ers allowed the Rams to score on their final four drives of the game, hemorrhaging big plays throughout. Tackling has been a problem for the Niners, a weakness that shows up in several categories:
- 6.8 average yards after the catch allowed, fifth-worst in the NFL. Last year they allowed an average of 4.8 YAC, which ranked seventh-best.
- 4.5 yards per rush allowed, which ranks 21st. That includes 2.4 yards before contact on average, the second-worst behind only the Cowboys.
The eventual return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in February’s Super Bowl, will help boost the unit’s physicality. But for all their star power, the 49ers have not been the same stifling defense seen in recent years. With Deebo Samuel Sr., Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle out on offense, the defense has not demonstrated the ability to pick up the increased slack through three games.
What Must the Texans’ Offense Improve Upon?
Following a historically productive rookie season from C.J. Stroud and the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, most expected a breakout season for the Houston Texans offense. But Houston actually ranks 20th with 18.3 points per game (PPG), a clear regression from last year’s unit that averaged 22.2 PPG (11th).
Stroud is averaging -0.15 expected points added (EPA) per play, which ranks 24th among starting QBs this season. The second-year pro has yet to develop a connection with Diggs, who is averaging 54.7 receiving yards per game and 8.2 yards per reception. Both of those are on pace to be career lows for Diggs.
There is still plenty of talent on the Texans’ offense, and disappointing starts from the other three teams in the AFC South give Houston a cushion to work through their problems. But to reach the Super Bowl ceiling that some projected for them before the season, the Texans will need their passing game to reach the heights most expected.
Can the Browns’ Defense Survive if Myles Garrett Is Injured?
While the Deshaun Watson-led offense continues to flail, the Browns’ defense was the unit that led Cleveland to an 11-win season last year. But after allowing the fewest yards per game last year, the Browns rank 12th in that category this season. Sunday’s loss to the Giants saw Big Blue pile up a season-high 340 yards.
The pass rush has not performed at the elite level of 2023. Led by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the Browns ranked second in pressure rate last season (42.5%). This year they are down to 37.6%, which ranks ninth. While that’s still strong, any slippage is detrimental due to the offensive struggles placing such a heavy burden on the defense.
The issue is that the Browns could see an even sharper decline in the coming weeks if Garrett’s injuries do not heal. Garrett was already playing through a pair of foot injuries and appeared to re-aggravate those injuries on Sunday. He is one of several Browns starters scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday:
MRIs scheduled tomorrow for #Browns:
DE Myles Garrett (feet/lower legs)
LG Wyatt Teller (knee)
OT James Hudson (shoulder)
LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee)— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN)
With the offense unlikely to provide significant support in the short term, the defense could soon bend to the point of breaking.
