The Dallas Cowboys are off to a successful start to the new season thanks to a much improved defense. When things get down to business on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, all eyes will once again be on shooting star Trevon Diggs.

Munich/Dallas – The Dallas Cowboys’ showpiece remains their offense this season. With the return of franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, the machinery is running like clockwork and the franchise stands with a positive balance.

Defensive transformation in Dallas

Last year, the offense started similarly hot, but the spotty defense ensured that even with Prescott, the team suffered three losses in its first four games. So the plan in the offseason was clear: the defense has to be able to back up the highly explosive offense every now and then.

So far, that plan is working to perfection. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, a mainstay in the pass rush, is injured, but unlike last year, the Cowboys now have alternatives who can step into the breach.

First-round linebacker Micah Parsons draws the focus of opposing offenses, allowing other youngsters to shine away from the spotlight. In the early games, one in particular caused a stir: Cornerback Trevon Diggs.

Monster start for Trevon Diggs

This season started off with a bang for the 2020 second-round pick. In the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in which Prescott kept “Americas Team” in the game for a long time, Diggs caused the first interception of the season. But it wasn’t just quarterback Tom Brady he could trouble that day.

Star receiver Mike Evans was given a personal bodyguard in Diggs, who held him to just three receptions for 24 receiving yards at the end of the game. The young Cowboys defense forced a total of four turnovers, and despite the unfortunate loss, Diggs and Co. put a first small exclamation mark on the game.

In the second game against the Los Angeles Chargers, a similar picture emerged. Here, too, the defense stood up to the strong Chargers offense and held them to just 17 points. Diggs again excelled individually and also recorded an interception against Justin Herbert.

Then against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, Diggs finally celebrated his breakthrough on the big stage. With an interception and subsequent score, he not only provided the preliminary decision in the game, but was also able to score the first touchdown of his career. Among other things, this is why he has now been honored by the NFL.

Best defensive player of the month – can there be more?

The 24-year-old is the only player to record an interception in all three games this season. With three intercepted passes, he now already sets his rookie season’s yield.

As a result, he was named “Defensive Player Of The Month” in the NFC by the NFL. This makes him the first defensive back in Cowboys history to secure such an award. With a “Coverage Grade” of 87.1 out of 100, the experts at “Pro Football Focus” also currently consider him one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

“It’s an honor,” he said of the award on “NBC.””I’m happy about it, but at the same time I have to continue to focus on athleticism. I just want to win the award again, that’s how I approach it,” Diggs said, explaining his ambitions.

Confidence or humility? A healthy mix

Following his successful start, he logically can hardly escape compliments. “I always knew he was a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro defender,” wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said of the young cornerback after the Eagles game.

Despite the praise, Diggs, whom Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calls a “receiver just masquerading as a cornerback,” wants to keep working on himself. “I’m still new, so I have to keep working on myself,” promised Diggs, who played wide receiver in high school.

“The other cornerbacks are way ahead of me. I have to work hard on myself to become as good as them – better at best,” he further explained. The eagerness to work doesn’t come out of nowhere in this regard, he said, “My family has always lived by that. Just work and keep going,” said the 24-year-old.

This plays a big role in his life anyway, he added: “My son wanted me to make an interception and score a touchdown. So I figured I’d give it to him,” Diggs replied when asked where his great confidence would come from.

Hurdle Carolina: Defense battle against the Panthers?

On Sunday, Diggs and Co. will face the undefeated Carolina Panthers. Similar to the Cowboys, the defensive side of the field has been particularly surprising in the first three games. With just 573 yards allowed, the Panthers currently boast the league’s best defense.

A game that would have been full of points in previous years now threatens to become a hard-fought defensive battle. It is not unlikely that a defensive big play will be the deciding factor at the end of the game.

So it’s good for the Cowboys that they have a real expert in Trevon Diggs in their ranks.