Cowboys Stock Report: Bear market shows inefficiencies in pass pro, coverage issues

If NFL teams were markets, and their respective players and coaches were stocks, the Dallas Cowboys would exist smack dab in the middle of a bear market right now. In the investment world, bear markets take place when prices hit a drop of at least 20 percent for a prolonged period of time. Losing 31-14 to the previously winless Chicago Bears one week after barely squeaking by the hapless New York Giants certainly constitutes as that.

Crashing into a bear market the week they take on the Bears could be seen as poetic. Dark, dark poetry but poetry, nonetheless. Hope that the Cowboys can pull out of this downturn soon is about as likely as a penny stock exploding into a blue-chip overnight. The schedule only gets tougher next week, which threatens to turn this downturn into a full-blown recession by October.

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While most stocks have dropped considerably there are a few who are on the incline and are worth mentioning. So even in week of bad news there is some good news to report.

Stock up: Jake Ferguson

Jake Ferguson had something to prove in Chicago. He had back-to-back disappointing weeks to start the season after signing a four-year contract extension over the offseason. Just when his extension started to look like a massive mistake, the Cowboys tight end pulled in 13 receptions off 14 targets. His 82 yards led the team as he became Dak Prescott’s top target against Chicago’s 2-high defense.

Ferguson served as the safety valve, averaging 0.07 EPA/play on receptions, which was more than both George Pickens and Jalen Tolbert. He didn’t get into the endzone, but he made positive contributions in both phases which pushes his stock up a little heading into Week 4. It wasn’t a great day, but it was a step in the right direction for the TE.

Stock up: offensive play calling

Brian Schottenheimer’s offense only managed 14 points, but it wasn’t because the play calling was poor. The Cowboys were creative on Sunday, mixing in motion and misdirection frequently. Based on in-game recording, they used motion at the snap 17 times with 13 of those plays getting marked successful. It’s worth noting one of those four unsuccessful plays was only unsuccessful because Javonte Williams fumbled after a massive gain.

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If it wasn’t for poor pass protection the Cowboys offense would challenge for the best offense in the NFL. The balance in which it plays is special, but unfortunately that balance goes out the window when the defense implodes every drive.

Stock down: both offensive tackles

Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton have been the topics of far too many conversations the past few months. In 2024 they combined to form arguably the worst pass protecting duo in the NFL and 2025 doesn’t look much better.

From a technique perspective Guyton has been showing mild improvement at left tackle but Steele has regressed, and soon, could get replaced. The pressures they give up stands to have lasting consequences with Prescott and it’s clear the offense can’t survive with the two playing like this. If only the Cowboys could replace both.

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Stock down: Coverage

It’s almost cheating to have such a blanket statement such as this, but it really is all about the coverage as a whole. The Cowboys have been struggling at all levels of coverage. Outside cornerbacks have struggled playing zone, safeties have been struggling with communication and linebackers have struggled to get depth. It’s made for blown assignments, gaps in coverage, and ineptitude across the board.

Calls to use more man defense have been raining down on Matt Eberflus. The Cowboys first year defensive coordinator has led the NFL in zone usage so a change to more man coverage made sense. Be careful what you wish for, two of Chicago’s early touchdown passes came when Eberflus called man: Once when Trevon Diggs fell down applying a sloppy jam at the line, and once when Malik Hooker bit in what appeared to be Cover 1 on a Bears flea flicker.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys Week 3 stock report: Nothing but bears in Chicago