After a terrible start to the season defensively for the Dallas Cowboys – they allowed an average of 29.3 points and 372.7 yards per game through the first three games – defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s group responded with back-to-back strong efforts and two wins. thanks to giving up just 16 points and 264.5 yards per game.
Much of that rebound can be attributed to eighth-year starting cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who leads the team in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, with a grade of 81.3 while allowing only 86 of the team’s defense’s 972 passing yards. through five matches.
In a cornerback that has seen shakeups with injuries to All-Pro DaRon Bland and rookie Caelen Carson, Lewis has been the constant factor in the slot, and he’s garnered even more respect from the coaching staff at the start of the season.
“J-Lew sets the tone, always has during my time here,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think he’s very, very valuable in the locker room and that carries over onto the field. It’s just his style of play, super competitive, which always has been.
Lewis faced some of the best receivers in the NFL early in the season. Whether it’s Browns receiver Amari Cooper, Saints receiver Chris Olave or Steelers wide receiver George PickensLewis had few problems controlling opposing threats.
In Pickens’ case, the third-year wide receiver from Georgia let out his frustration with Lewis after the Cowboys’ win over the Steelers on Sunday night. grabbing his mask and throwing it to the ground after the clock hits all zeros. It was the culmination of a poor performance that saw Lewis give up no receptions to Pickens when they lined up against each other.
“That’s what football is, honestly,” Lewis said. “Be tough, go out and outwork the opponent. That’s what I go there and I try to do every time I go there.
That mentality will be reflected with some sentiment this Sunday when the Cowboys host the Detroit Lions. A Detroit native, Lewis said he never supported the Lions growing up, but it was always special to host friends and family for a game in his hometown.
Although it will be a little more special for Lewis, he will have a tough matchup against Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. In their last match in December 2023, Lewis, St. Brown showed nerves in Cowboys’ 20-19 victory. Asked if he anticipated this tension continuing into Sunday, Lewis focused on the overall task at hand.
“I don’t know, man,” Lewis said with a laugh. “I just want to go out there and play good ball. If he brings me the fight, then that’s what it is. I just want to go out there and get ready. They’re a good team, you can’t lose your mind going out there and making it a fight.
Aside from the hometown connection, playing in Detroit will always remind Lewis of the greatest adversity he faced in his football career. In 2022, Lewis suffered a fracture to his Lisfranc on his footending his season prematurely and wiping out all his off-season preparation in 2023. Nearly two years later, Lewis is fully healthy and preparing for a strong start to his eighth season in the league.
“He overcame this very serious injury,” McCarthy said. “He’s back. He played as well as he did during our time together. [He’s] a very respected man in our locker room.
Feelings and sentiments aside, Lewis arguably played better in Detroit than any other team during his career. His last two interceptions have come from Lions quarterback Jared Goff, including a fourth-quarter interception in the 2023 victory.
His success against the Lions will combine with his strong start to the 2024 season in a game where the Cowboys secondary will take on a huge task. For him, everything depends on the preparation started on Monday for his group.
“Honestly, just watching the film and preparing myself every day,” Lewis said. “That’s what it comes down to, preparing like it’s your last game, like it’s the Super Bowl. We have to do this every game. Nothing is taken for granted in this league. You have to go out there and prepare like it’s your last game.
