"They made J.J. McCarthy look like Fran Tarkenton": Rex Ryan sounds off at Cowboys' "stinking" defense after Vikings loss

Former NFL coach Rex Ryan didn't waste any time pointing fingers after Dallas collapsed on Sunday Night Football. The ESPN analyst zeroed in on one unit that he believes is sabotaging the Cowboys' entire season.

He unloaded on Dallas' defense following its 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The defeat left the Cowboys (6-7) with less than a 1% chance of reaching the postseason.

"Defense," Ryan said, via "Get Up." "I mean, 100% this is Super Bowl caliber offense. We've seen it all year, but this defense stinks. They made JJ McCarthy look like Fran Tarkenton, and he's been on the struggle bus all season."

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J.J. McCarthy threw for a career-high 250 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings quarterback has struggled throughout the season before Sunday's breakout performance at AT&T Stadium.

Rex Ryan labels Dallas Cowboys the "dumb state defense"

NFL: DEC 14 Vikings at Cowboys - Source: Getty

Rex Ryan expanded on his criticism by placing the blame squarely on the defensive side of the ball.

"And here's, here's the issue, right here, you know you came in, they're physically they're not what they were," Ryan said. "Obviously, they moved on from Parsons. Now who the hell is this on this is on your defense. "They absolutely stink. I've called them the dumb state defense all season long. And guess what? The dumb state defense is going to keep your team parked there for the playoffs, because no way in hell you're getting in."

The Cowboys entered Week 15 ranked 29th in EPA per play allowed and 31st in points allowed per game at 29.7. Dallas failed to sack J.J. McCarthy throughout the game and only forced one interception in the opening quarter before the Vikings quarterback settled in.

Dallas faces an uphill battle to salvage its playoff hopes with three games remaining.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez