Scapegoating Dan Quinn is already blowing up in the Cowboys' face

When Dan Quinn became Washington Commanders head coach following an extensive interview process, there weren't many tears shed in Dallas. Many fans thought the former Cowboys defensive coordinator had taken this unit as far as he could. After a complete capitulation during their home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, most were happy he ended up with an NFC East rival.

Quinn was a necessary scapegoat for another massive underachievement from the Cowboys, who are hyped up beyond recognition every year by the national media and almost always fail to deliver when push comes to shove. Their loss could be the Commanders' gain looking at the energy and purpose he's installed during the early stages of his second head coaching opportunity.

Mike Zimmer was the man chosen to succeed Quinn. He's got the same old-school values and seemed to get everyone onside quickly. Several players claimed how better things were heading into the 2024 campaign. That hasn't transitioned to a competitive setting as yet.

Cowboys' wrongly scapegoating Dan Quinn can benefit the Commanders

It turns out that scapegoating Quinn wasn't enough to remove the concerning stigma surrounding Dallas' defense. Nobody in the Commanders' fanbase will be complaining about that.

They are built to play with a lead. There was a clear blueprint on how to beat them towards the final stages of Quinn's tenure. This hasn't altered whatsoever since Zimmer took charge.

Anyone capable of running the football can do damage against the Cowboys. Their underbelly is soft. Although Micah Parsons is one of the league's best pass-rushers, setting the edge against the run is more complicated. Mazi Smith - a player Quinn made lose weight as a rookie and was heavily criticized for his approach - doesn't look like ever reaching his first-round billing.

It's early days, but here's how Dallas' defense in 2023 stacks up to the first three games with Zimmer leading the charge.

Stats come courtesy of TeamRankings.com.

Rushing yards allowed per game:

• 2023: 114.1
• 2024: 185.7

Passing yards allowed per game:

• 2023: 192.1
• 2024: 187.0

Yards allowed per game:

• 2023: 306.1
• 2024: 372.7

Sacks per game:

• 2023: 2.6
• 2024: 2.3

There are more examples, but turns out Quinn wasn't the primary issue. This defense is not capable of winning in the trenches against physical rushing attacks. The Cowboys didn't do enough throughout the offseason to rectify this from a recruitment standpoint. Until they change the narrative, opposing offenses will keep challenging them on the ground.

That's of no concern of Quinn's anymore. Dallas' defensive woes are great news for the Commanders. They have to get their own house in order first, but this is Year 1 of a vast rebuilding project. The Cowboys are supposedly ready to win right now.

Quinn's got his defensive problems to worry about. The Commanders aren't generating nearly enough pressure and the secondary is struggling to produce the goods. This was always going to be a gradual process, but there are far more positives than negatives emanating from Washington after a monumental offseason of alterations.

Dallas should get better. But if things continue in the same manner, perhaps the finger-pointing should have gone somewhere other than Quinn.

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