Will Compton Questions Whether Cowboys Have ‘Regressed Since Last Year’ Ahead of Ravens Clash

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Will Compton Questions Whether Cowboys Have ‘Regressed Since Last Year’ Ahead of Ravens Clash

Heena Singh · Gridiron Heroics

Thu, Sep 24, 2026 ·

3 min read

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The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a massive Week 3 matchup with plenty of attention on what they can actually build from their 2-0 start. The record looks good, however, the way those wins have come has raised questions about how sustainable this team can be, and with the Baltimore Ravens waiting in Rio, the Cowboys are about to face a much tougher test of where they really stand.

The Cowboys have looked dangerous on offense without relying heavily on explosive plays. Dak Prescott has been efficient, CeeDee Lamb remains a major target, and the Cowboys have found ways to keep drives moving, except the defense has created a very different conversation, leaving former NFL linebacker Will Compton wondering whether this team has actually taken a step forward.

Will Compton Questions Dallas Cowboys ' Progress

Oct 9, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Former Nebraska Cornhuskers and NFL linebacker Will Compton pumps up the crowd during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Compton raised that concern on S eptember 24, during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up, with the Cowboys preparing to face the Ravens. Rather than simply looking at Dallas' unbeaten record, the former NFL linebacker questioned whether the team has enough around its stars to match the expectations that followed them into the season.

"I'm trying to stay optimistic for them, but there's just not a lot there. … Have they regressed since last year?"

That question comes after a start in which the Cowboys have shown two very different sides. The offense has been productive; however, the team's defensive issues have remained difficult to overlook. Through the first two games, the Cowboys have leaned on long possessions and consistent execution instead of constantly hunting for splash plays.

According to the supplied NFLfastR data, the Cowboys currently rank last in explosive-play rate. Its rushing attack sits 30th with a 5.1% explosive-play rate, while the passing game is 25th at 3.0%. That is a notable contrast for a roster featuring Prescott, Lamb, George Pickens , and KaVontae Turpin .

Still, the lack of big plays has not stopped the offense from producing. The Cowboys rank third in the NFL in EPA per play and success rate. They are also near the top of the league in third-down conversion rate and red-zone touchdown percentage, showing that the offense has generally been able to sustain drives even without consistently creating huge chunks of yardage.

That approach has also helped Dallas control possession. The Cowboys average 3:27 per offensive d rive, which ranks fourth in the league, while their 3.87 points per drive lead the NFL based on the supplied figures. The offense has essentially been asked to compensate for problems on the other side of the ball.

The Ravens present a different challenge, and the Cowboys will have to show whether their current formula can hold up against stronger competition. Their 2-0 record gives them an early cushion; however, Compton's comments underline th e larger question surrounding this team: whether Dallas has genuinely improved from last season or simply found an efficient way to survive its weaknesses.

Will Compton Questions Dallas Cowboys ' Progress

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