Watching the Dallas Cowboys find new ways to lose games has started to become really annoying. On Thursday night, they were supposed to easily handle the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it didn’t go down like that. Instead, it was the Bucs that took it to Dallas in a convincing 24-16 road win. Insert sadface emoji.
This latest loss serves as a stark reminder that this team has a ways to go. We know about the defensive problems, but what happens when the offense is having a rough go too? Well, that’s
what we found out on Thursday in this very unpleasant primetime affair. Here are 10 thoughts on the Cowboys’ very upsetting defeat to the Bucs.
1. A slow death
After the Cowboys opened the game with a quick four-minute drive that went 70 yards for a touchdown, things were looking good. This is what we came for. But then something awful happened. The Bucs answered with a touchdown drive of their own, only it wasn’t just any touchdown drive.
The Tampa offense held the ball for 11 minutes as we watched the Cowboys’ defense commit penalties and repeatedly couldn’t make stops on third down. They did a good thing here and there, but it wasn’t enough to get off the field, and just like that, it was already the second quarter and the game was tied 7-7.
2. A quick death
If you don’t care for the slow burn of a long, time-consuming drive that the Bucs employed to start the game, don’t fret. The Cowboys’ defense made adjustments to start the second half. Instead of a slow death, they allowed the Bucs to pull off a two-play, 86-yard drive that took just one minute.
In the blink of an eye, the Bucs jumped ahead 14-10. Slow or fast, the defense is destined to play poorly regardless of the pace.
3. Bad bounces
When the Bucs struck quickly to take their first lead of the game, the Cowboys’ offense needed to answer back. And it looked like they would, as they immediately drove down the field into Tampa territory. Sadly, a Prescott pass was deflected and volleyed around before landing into the arms of the Bucs.
4. Momentum killed
Not only did the Bucs turn that deflected interception into points to go up 21-10, but on the ensuing kickoff, KaVontae Turpin put the ball on the turf. Did the Cowboys recover it? Nope. It was Tampa ball again with a chance to break this game wide open.
5. 3rd-and-21
The Cowboys didn’t die, at least not yet. After the Turpin fumble, the defense showed up with two great plays, both by rookie edge Malachi Lawrence. First with a sack, then by deflecting the ball, setting up a third-and-21. Finally, a stop! Not quite.
In true Cowboys’ defense form, they allowed the Bucs to convert, setting them up for a field goal and a 24-10 lead. The defense did a decent job putting the Bucs’ offense in third-and-long situations, but they were equally atrocious at stopping them in those moments. It was tough to watch.
6. Huge coaching mistake
When you’re an 0-4 team, things can seem bleak, so it’s understandable why Todd Bowles wanted to put a resounding stamp on this game by making it a 21-point game and putting a dagger through the heart of the Cowboys. But when your team struggles to win, how about just securing the win?
Making it a three-score game wouldn’t have been enough of a stamp for him, but a failed fourth-down play allowed the Cowboys to have life, and based on what happened next, Bowles must have felt a little regretful about his decision.
7. One last chance
Despite all the madness, the Cowboys still had a chance to win the game. After the failed fourth-down play at the goal line, the Cowboys drove 99 yards to make it a one-score game. Then, the defense forced a well-timed, quick three-and-out to give the Cowboys the ball back, keeping the comeback alive.
Unfortunately, the drive ended when a Prescott pass went off the face of Jake Ferguson and into the arms of a Bucs linebacker, and it was game over.
8. Going for two
When the Cowboys scored in the fourth quarter, Brian Schottenheimer opted to go for a two-point conversion. The analytics supported his decision as it gave the team a chance to win the game with another touchdown, and if they didn’t convert, they would still have another shot to convert if they scored that second touchdown.
Had the Cowboys scored again and come up short on the two-point conversion, the fans would have come at Schotty with torches, but regardless, it was the smart choice.
9. The unsavory Bland
It feels weird to single out one player when the entire defense was bad, but can anyone tell us what has happened to DaRon Bland? He continues to have a tough time.
He has been a liability all year, and this game might be his worst. He could not stay with his man, arrived late at times, fell down, and did everything but make a play.
He had a chance to redeem himself when he stepped in front of an out route late in the fourth quarter, but of course, he couldn’t make the play. One of his patented pick-sixes would have been huge there. Oh well.
10. Late casualties
Not only did the Cowboys lose this game, but they also suffered some casualties late in the fourth quarter. Both CeeDee Lamb (quad)and Tyler Guyton (back) had to come out of the game. The severity of these injuries is unclear, but at least the Cowboys now have 10 days before their next game, so hopefully, these guys can heal up soon.
