Martindale Offers Help to Cowboys DC Parker

After a 1-2 start, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has ranked among the NFL’s worst, prompting former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to say first-year coordinator Christian Parker is being “outclassed” and to offer to help him. Martindale acknowledged Dallas’ injury problems but said the defense also needs to stop the run and avoid basic mistakes. He singled out the coverage on Baltimore’s game-winning drive, when Lamar Jackson completed a 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers to set up a last-second field goal in the Cowboys’ 34-31 loss. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer defended the play call, saying the defense failed to execute it properly.