NFL Duress List - Week 4

As the NFL season approaches its fourth week, the pressure is palpable for certain teams and players on the brink of crisis. With playoff aspirations for some teams already hanging by a thread, these squads must confront their glaring shortcomings and rally to reclaim their season.?

From defences that have been exposed and overwhelmed to quarterbacks struggling to find their rhythm, this week’s Duress List sheds light on those facing intense scrutiny and an urgent need for improvement.?

With each game, the room for mistakes diminishes, and the countdown to redemption begins. Let’s explore the teams in desperate need of a turnaround…

Cowboys Defence

The Dallas Cowboys' defence finds itself on the duress list for the second consecutive week. While the offence has its issues, the defence has been downright atrocious, especially in stopping the run.

Last week, Derrick Henry ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns against them, averaging six yards per carry. Over the past two games, both at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys have been battered on the ground, surrendering 464 rushing yards—the third-most allowed by any team in a two-game span since Jerry Jones bought the franchise in 1989. Once a fortress, Dallas has now allowed 120 points and 607 rushing yards in their last three home games, with opponents gaining a staggering 7.7 yards per play.

To make matters worse, a shocking 295 of those rushing yards have come before contact, which highlights how ineffective the defence has been in the trenches. It's clear—the Cowboys' defence is crumbling.

Thursday night’s matchup on the road against the New York Giants offers a potential lifeline. Both teams are 1-2, with their lone wins coming against the Cleveland Browns. History favours the Cowboys, as the Giants are 1-13 against them since 2017, and quarterback Daniel Jones is just 1-12 in primetime games. However, if Dallas loses this divisional showdown similar to recent defeats, serious questions will be raised about the future of head coach Mike McCarthy.

Next Game: New York Giants at MetLife Stadium

Trevor Lawrence

The Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves at a critical juncture as they prepare for a high-stakes divisional clash against the Houston Texans. After a rocky start to the season, the pressure is squarely on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who urgently needs to find his form.

Jacksonville opened the season with a disappointing loss, blowing a 10-point lead against Miami in Week 1, followed by another defeat to the now 1-2 Cleveland Browns in Week 2. The situation worsened dramatically with a disastrous 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, leaving them at 0-3 and bottom of the AFC South.

Josh Allen dismantled the Jaguars' defence, throwing four first-half touchdowns—an achievement not seen on "Monday Night Football" since Ben Roethlisberger in 2007. Lawrence, the highly-touted No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, struggled, completing 21 of 38 passes for just 178 yards, one touchdown, and a critical interception. The offence, which once showed promise, has faltered significantly, converting only 5 of their last 27 third-down attempts over the past 10 quarters.

With Lawrence now on an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season and the offence scoring only 23 points in that stretch, the pressure is building. Head coach Doug Pederson hinted at potential changes, including a possible quarterback switch.

As the Jaguars head into this must-win game, all eyes will be on Lawrence to see if he can reclaim his former glory and help turn the team's fortunes around against the Texans, who will also be looking for a response after losing 34-7 to the Minnesota Vikings.

Next Game: Houston Texans at NRG Stadium

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are in dire need of a win as they prepare to face the Carolina Panthers, aiming to break free from a dismal 0-3 start—their worst opening since 2019. Historically, only six teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, adding urgency to their situation.

The Bengals' struggles can be traced back to a challenging offseason. Star receiver Ja'Marr Chase missed training camp due to a contract holdout, which has hindered the team’s ability to establish early-season chemistry. Head Coach Zac Taylor is under fire for the team's consistent unpreparedness at the beginning of seasons, raising questions about the overall readiness of the squad.

Defensively, the Bengals have been underwhelming. They allowed rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to dominate in their loss to Washington, where he posted an impressive 91.3% completion rate while throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The defence failed to make a single stop, yielding five touchdowns and a field goal on six possessions, averaging an alarming 6.3 points allowed per drive—surpassing their previous record of 5.6 set in 2018.

This defensive collapse is particularly surprising given their performance against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, where they managed to limit Patrick Mahomes and forced three turnovers.

As the Bengals head to Carolina next week, they face a Panthers team that is riding high with new QB Andy Dalton, who recently led them to an impressive 36-22 victory over the Raiders. For the Bengals, rallying is crucial, as a loss would be devastating, with only one team in NFL history making the playoffs after starting 0-4.

Next Game: Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium