Cowboys over/under: The Dallas defense is a Top 10 unit in 2024

Yes, there are a lot of questions centered around Dak Prescott and the offense heading into 2024, but the biggest key to team success this year may lie within the Dallas Cowboys defensive unit. With Mike Zimmer now in the fold as the defensive coordinator, and several veteran pieces headed elsewhere, this group will look vastly different in 2024.

While there is a lot of work to be done, there isn’t much time to figure it out. Despite not reaching their ultimate goal in a long time, this is still a team with championship aspirations. With that in mind, it is going to take a high-level performance from the defense to do it.

Will the Dallas Cowboys' defense be a top-10 unit in 2024?

Dan Quinn is no longer walking through that door. And while he was known for his fun-loving, player’s coach style, the complete opposite looks to be in charge now with Zimmer in the fold. Ultimately, none of that matters more than the play on the field, and with a one-year deal inked, Zimmer and the defense need to progress fast.

Under Quinn, the Cowboys finished fifth in total defense, only giving up 18.5 points per game. They gave up less than 300 total yards of offense on average and looked like one of the most feared pass-rushing units in the league.

However, Quinn is gone, and Zimmer is in. Quinn’s defense had difficulty against certain offenses and was completely missing in action in the playoffs versus Green Bay. The pattern of play decreasing against quality opponents, especially late in the season and into the playoffs, became a big problem.

Statistics are fun, but wins are better. The bottom line is that this group and the team as a whole have continued to struggle when they needed to step up the most. However, with quality pieces still in place and superstars sprinkled throughout the group, there is reason to believe that the Cowboys will not only be just as good in 2024 but, in a lot of ways, could be even better.

Zimmer brings a more stern, accountability-first approach to the group. The players on the field will know how to do their job and do it well—or they won’t be out there. Simple but effective coaching may be just what this group needs if they once again want to be a top-10 unit and maybe sit within the top five once more.

So what say you, BTB? Will this defense be a top-10 unit in 2024?