Matt Eberflus digs his own grave with snarky Jerry Jones dig over Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys' regular-season finale against the New York Giants could be some of the worst football fans have watched since the preseason. It has the potential to be ugly, but it also could be Matt Eberflus' last game in charge of the defense. That could make it worthwhile.

Jerry Jones’ tone regarding Matt Eberflus has changed dramatically over the last month. The loss to the Lions served as Jones’ wake-up call, and the defense getting punked in primetime by J.J. McCarthy the following week felt like the unofficial last straw.

Eberflus is smart enough to know that the writing is on the wall. Ahead of what could be his last game as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, he admitted that losing Micah Parsons right before the start of the season did a number on the defense's potential (h/t to Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr.).

Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus took a subtle dig at Jerry Jones in his final press conference of the season

Eberflus didn't call out Jones by name, but he didn't have to.

While it's true that trading Parsons did irreparable damage to the defense, that doesn't fully absolve Eberflus for how the unit has performed this season. The Cowboys' 477 points allowed are their most in a single season in franchise history. Would anyone be shocked if that climbs over 500 after Sunday?

Yes, the defense needs a handful of new starters, but it's not like the group is bereft of talent. Other than Quinnen Williams, who hasn't skipped a beat since being acquired before the trade deadline, can you circle any player who has gotten better under Eberflus? No, you can't.

READ MORE: Matt Eberflus crossed a Cowboys line that might cost him everything

Seemingly, everyone has gotten worse. DeMarvion Overshown, while coming back from major knee surgery, feels like he's been nerfed by Eberflus. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson's performance may boil down to age more than anything else, but what about Osa Odighizuwa and DaRon Bland? Dante Fowler had 10.5 sacks last season. He's been a non-factor. These aren't bad players.

While X's and O's are paramount to a defense's success, it doesn't feel like Eberflus ever fully connected with his players. Nobody would mistake Vic Fangio for a player's coach, yet it's clear that the Eagles' defense respects him. Can the same be said about Eberflus? Dan Quinn and even Mike Zimmer had players willing to defend them publicly. You never got that sense with Eberflus.

Eberflus didn't say anything wrong by admitting that the Parsons trade hurts the defense. That he crossed that bridge, though, tells us that he knows what's coming after Sunday.

He's going down swinging; if only he had taken that same approach with the Cowboys' defense this year.