The Dallas Cowboys defense gives fans another reason to believe in big things by flustering top NFL quarterback
The Dallas Cowboys held a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. And yes, the worst 2025 defense in the league flustered the NFL’s reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford.
The much-anticipated joint practice between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams finally happened on Tuesday and though we don’t have a lot of video to go off of, there a lot of good nuggets out there thanks to those with boots on the ground.
And there’s a very clear takeaway following first impressions on practice: The Cowboys defensive overhaul is quickly paying off. Though head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants to see the film first, he reiterated that following practice.
“We’re a different defense,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “You can look at us on paper and see we’re a different defense. The mentality and the mindset of the defense is different, and that’s great. (The Rams) challenge you in a lot of different ways. They’re a very, very physical team. The run the hell out of the duo play.”
Schottenheimer mentioned Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams, who signed a $105.9 million contract extension Monday, as a practice standout. Linebacker Justin Barron, who is fighting for his place on the 53-man roster, finished the day with three interceptions—including one against Matthew Stafford.
“They had their plays, we had our plays, it’s what a joint practice should look like,” Schottenheimer added.
Cowboys flustered MVP QB Matthew Stafford
New Cowboys defensive coordinator made it clearly early on what he wanted to do: Be unpredictable to make opposing quarterbacks struggle. On Tuesday, the NFL’s reigning MVP did.
Just consider the below comments shared on social media by a few top Cowboys insiders:
- Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com: Matthew Stafford has really struggled to figure out this coverage from Christian Parker — his good plays far outnumbered by PBUs, errant throws, a couple of intentional throwaways, etc.
- Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News: (By the end of first-team drills) last year the defense was getting shellshocked by the Rams. This time, the Cowboys defense has held up very well. Longest play for the Rams was a 12-15 yard out route from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua against Shavon Revel.
- Todd Archer, ESPN: Watched the Cowboys defense in the first team period. No big plays allowed. Shavon Revel with a PBU on deep ball from Stafford to Nacua stood out.
The truth is Cowboys fans won’t get a telling showing of the defense during the preseason, as the coaching staff is guaranteed to hold back on the scheme. But Tuesday is telling.
The Cowboys defense is truly different, which is to be expected after a large overhaul in both the roster and coaching staff. Getting a big day against the high-powered Rams offense should only boost the confidence in themselves.
