After a really tough showing in Week 2 against the Giants, a pair of Cowboys defensive backs will need to be better if Dallas wants to win in Week 3 at Chicago. An aging Russell Wilson shredded the Dallas secondary last week, with two players in particular allowing the most damage.
Now, with DJ Moore and an ascending Rome Odunze waiting in Chicago, things aren’t going to get any easier. If these embattled Cowboys DBs don’t perform better than they did against New York, Dallas will be in for a long afternoon.
The Cowboys’ Week 3 matchup in Chicago will also be the first of four games that will define the 2025 season for Dallas. That’s why Dallas needs to stack wins early—because the back half of the schedule includes one of the toughest closing stretches in football.
Week 3 Preview: These Cowboys Defensive Backs Will be Key to a Week 3 Win
Dallas’ Cornerback Crisis
Dallas’ secondary was already shaky, but Week 2 shone a spotlight on two players in particular. Trevon Diggs and Kaiir Elam were targeted early and often against New York, and both came away badly exposed. If they don’t tighten up, the Cowboys will be staring at another shootout.
Trevon Diggs is not the Same Guy
Against the Giants in Week 2, Trevon Diggs was perfect. Perfectly terrible. Diggs gave up a flawless 158.3 passer rating when targeted, allowing over 100 yards and two touchdowns. He looked nothing like the playmaker who intercepted 11 passes in 2021.
The bigger concern isn’t just the stat sheet—it’s the good ol’ eye test. The numbers were bad enough, but Diggs’ performance looked even worse. He simply doesn’t look like he has the same burst or recovery speed he showed before his injuries. He’s always been more playmaker than shutdown corner, but now those gambles come without the athleticism that covered up for mistakes.
If the Cowboys are going to win in Week 3, Diggs has to adjust his game. With DaRon Bland likely out for a second straight week, he can’t be the liability he was last Sunday.
Kaiir Elam Might be a Failed Fix
The Cowboys talked up Kaiir Elam all offseason as their solution at outside corner. He didn’t look like it in Week 2.
Elam was targeted relentlessly. He gave up over 150 yards, a touchdown, and a passer rating north of 144.0. Short, deep, intermediate, it didn’t matter. He couldn’t stay with anyone.
Elam struggled with positioning and communication and looked completely lost in space. His off coverage was so soft as to be nonexistent. He was so scared of getting beat deep that he was willing to concede the short pitch-and-catch all day. Even when he found himself in a good position—on Nabers’ second touchdown with 25 seconds left in regulation—he couldn’t locate the ball.
For the Cowboys, that’s a scary reality heading into Week 3. DJ Moore is a proven receiver, and Rome Odunze is a huge target who’s emerged as Caleb Williams’ go-to guy. If Elam has another showing like he did against the Giants, the Bears’ receivers will have no problem replicating New York’s success.
The Cowboys’ Week 3 Matchup Will be Decided by the Secondary
The Cowboys’ secondary made Russell Wilson look like the Hall-of-Famer he’ll soon be after retirement. The problem is, those days are long gone. Wilson piled up 450 passing yards, ripped off seven chunk plays of over 24 yards, and threw for three touchdowns. Dallas should’ve put the game away much earlier, but its secondary’s inability to limit explosive plays kept New York alive.
The challenge doesn’t get any easier for the Cowboys in Week 3 at Chicago—Brian Schottenheimer and his staff have their work cut out for them.
If Dallas doesn’t clean up its coverage, this game will be another shootout—only this time, they may not get as lucky.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
