The Dallas Cowboys fell to the Baltimore Ravens on a last-second miracle play by Lamar Jackson and company. Here are three things we learned about the Cowboys during the game.
Offensive play calls are too cute
Brian Schottenheimer cost his team on multiple occasions. And that’s putting it nicely. The head coach and offensive play caller just cannot figure out what to do inside the five-yard line and at times struggles with continuity when his offense is having success.
After forcing a three-and-out on defense on the opening drive,
the Cowboys offense marched down the field behind Javonte Williams with ease. However after getting to the one-yard line, the offense sputtered after an incompletion and a sack. They missed out on four points in a game they lost by three.
Later in the game on the first drive in the second half, Dak Prescott and the offense led a nine-play drive into scoring territory that was cut short by a questionable Jake Ferguson fumble. Dak had no issues throwing the ball around to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the drive, and even took off himself on a nice run.
But then Schottenheimer called a shovel pass to the tight end which ended up popping out and was recovered by Baltimore. That’s a play normally reserved for short yardage and goal line situations; not something you see on a first and ten. Another three points, at mininum, left off the board.
Finally on the Cowboys final possession of the night, the offense was absolutely on fire. They marched down the field in an attempt to win the game, once again reaching the two-yard line. With a timeout in pocket, conventional wisdom would tell you to run the ball on first down for the game-winning touchdown with 23 seconds left. Instead the play call would be a fade ball to Pickens, broken up by the defensive back. Before the offense could snap the ball on second down, Luke Schoonmaker was flagged for a false start, moving them back five yards. After two more snaps, Dallas settled for the game-tying field goal. Another four points left on the board.
By my count, that’s eleven points left off the board that can be tied to Schottenheimer’s play-calling. That is just plain unacceptable from your head coach.
Rookie defenders are making plays
You’ll look at the scoreboard and call me crazy. How can we say the defense show up when they allowed 34 points on the board? There were several occasions where the players on the defensive side of the ball stood tall and got the ball back into the hands of the offense.
Jaishawn Barham officially announced his entry to the NFL. He was absolutely instrumental on three short-yardage stops. The first-year linebacker stuffed Derrick Henry on a fourth and one (officially credited to Caleb Downs, but Barham was there), a third and two, and a fourth-down goal line stand. Without the individual effort from Barham, this game could have gotten ugly for the Cowboys.
Caleb Downs also continues to show why he was the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft. He too made a handful of impactful plays and continues to live in the opposing team’s backfield. Downs was a key player in the early fourth down stop, alongside Barham and Donovan Ezeiruaku.
The defense isn’t close to perfect. Maybe not even in the same ballpark. But their rookies are starting to make drive ending plays and that’s a good sign. The defense is on the right track and will need to continue to grow as a unit. As tough a pill as it is to swallow right now, the defense is getting better.
Health is a massive issue on defense
The Cowboys were already without defensive backs Malik Hooker, Cobie Durant, P.J. Locke and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Tonight resulted in even more hits to that defense.
Jalen Thompson left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Shavon Revel went out in the fourth with what looked to be a concerning knee injury. Other players were banged up but eventually returned. But by the Ravens last possession, the Cowboys were shuffling Alijah Clark and Reddy Steward in the game. Depending on the severity of the injuries to Thompson and Revel, the Dallas secondary may absolutely be in a break glass in case of emergency situation.
Injuries continue to hammer this defense and it shows on the field. The two defenders on the broadcast screen during the final Ravens throw of the game were Reddy Steward and Alijah Clark. Those are not the names you want on the field during the most important moment of the game. Unfortunately, due to the mounting injuries, Dallas didn’t have much of a choice.
