‘Definitely Surprising’: DaRon Bland Weighs In On Dallas Cowboys’ 2-4 Start After Loss To Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland said a 2-4 start is not something anyone expects entering a season after Sunday night’s 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Bland finished with 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 passes defensed. He was also flagged for a 1-yard pass interference penalty at the Dallas 2 in the final seconds of the first half, one play before Jordan Love’s 1-yard touchdown sneak made it 17-0.

DaRon Bland Says Dallas Cowboys Have To Get Off The Field On Third Down

Green Bay converted 9 of its 10 third downs in the first half and finished 11-of-18. Bland said the Cowboys have to get back to honing their fundamentals.

“I mean, they’re just making plays. We’re just kind of beating ourselves up a little bit on the third down. But, yeah, it really is coming down to execution,” Bland said.

Dallas held Green Bay to 2 conversions on 8 third downs after halftime. Bland said the Cowboys are doing well on first and second down.

“Yeah, it’s playing all four downs. That’s kind of our biggest thing right now. We’re doing good on the first and second, so we just got to get off on third down,” Bland explained.

Bland tackled MarShawn Lloyd for a 3-yard loss on Green Bay’s opening drive, and Matthew Golden beat him down the sideline for a 37-yard catch on the same drive. In the fourth quarter, Bland nearly intercepted a second-and-5 throw for Golden at the Dallas 25 before replay assist ruled it incomplete. Bland said the Cowboys are looking back at what they are missing.

“I mean, make the play when you know the play is needed. That’s where every third down is. That’s the time you’ve got to make a stop and get off the field,” Bland said.

Dallas punted 3 times and turned the ball over on downs twice. Bland said the offense and defense have to help each other.

“Yeah, definitely got to work on it. Defense has got to help their hand on offense, and offense has got to help us on defense too. But it’s just a [hand-in-hand] thing, just execution,” Bland said.

Bland On A 2-4 Start

Bland is in his fifth season with Dallas. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, when he intercepted 9 passes and returned 5 for touchdowns. His first two seasons in Dallas ended at 12-5, and he said the Cowboys have to start from day one, looking back at their fundamentals.

“Yeah, definitely. You’re definitely surprised because that’s not something you’re coming in thinking, being in the season, you’re going to have a losing record right now. So it’s definitely surprising,” Bland said.

Eleven games remain on the Cowboys’ schedule. Bland said Dallas can’t keep its head down.

“You gotta think about it, it’s just one game. Still got another game to come after this, so you gotta keep pushing and keep going. It’s still a long season ahead of us,” Bland said.

Dallas visits the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Oct. 26, at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN and ABC.