Starting with Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys entered what could potentially be the deciding four-game stretch of the season. The team had an opportunity to start this stretch on a high note by defeating one of the stronger foes in the NFC. Instead, they like so many times previously, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
The Cowboys have to start trusting their quarterback. Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP caliber level and Jerry Jones knows he will command an MVP contract once the season is over. Which is all the more reason to not waste the talent his rookie contract affords them.
Cowboys still America’s team
Death, taxes, and the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
America’s Team rankings: pic.twitter.com/rWdnKDrcBT
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 11, 2019
Since 2010, the Cowboys rank first in the number of SNF contests averaging 20 million-plus viewers with 30 such games. Whether they win or lose, people are intrigued by what happens with the Cowboys. Both the NFL and NBC know this which is why the Cowboys are generally booked for the maximum allotment of SNF games every season. Jerry Jones wants the focus of the sports world on the Cowboys every season, and the numbers back that up.
–CM
Cowboys Wire’s wall-to-wall coverage
Here are links to all of our in-house coverage of the loss.
- Left guard Connor Williams will be out an indefinite amount of time after Tuesday’s knee scope
- 80 best pics from the game, including ridiculous captures of Randall Cobb’s touchdown
- Coaching mistakes plague Cowboys into winnable loss, 28-24 to Vikings
- Cowboys won’t question play calling; Garrett says ‘we had options’
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Garrett on Austin’s punt return: ‘There might have been an opportunity’
- Cowboys’ 7 plays that changed the game in 28-24 loss to Vikings
- 11 Takeaways: Cowboys run narrative into ground, pass on path to victory
— KD
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper blast team’s lack of execution in loss to Vikings, won’t blame coaches :: CBS Sports
Our good friend Patrik Walker checks in with a great look at what the players were saying following the tough loss.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating — definitely frustrating,” Prescott said following the game. “We had a chance, an opportunity right there at the end. A quarterback can’t ask for more — the ball in your hands, fourth down, a chance to make a throw to win the game. They made a great play. They made more plays than we did when it counted and beat us situationally.”
— KD
The Cowboys Just Need to Trust Dak Prescott :: The Ringer
Prescott carved up the Minnesota Viking defense all night. Two of his three receivers eclipsed 100 yards receiving, and when the game was on the line the Cowboys took the ball out of his hands and put it in their $90 million running back’s instead. Ezekiel Elliott isn’t going to take this team anywhere this season, if the Cowboys want to play football late January it’s Prescott who is going to take them where they want to go. It’s time they started to trust him.
–CM
Dak Prescott again leads NFL in QBR Rating after Week 10
Updated QBR leaders, 2019
1. Dak – 78.8
2. Wilson – 78.2
3. Mahomes – 78.1
4. Jackson – 76.2
5. Watson – 75.1
gap
6. Stafford – 68.8I don't know if they'll be the top 5 at season's end, but it sure looks like the NFL's 100th season is the greatest ever for black QBs.
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) November 12, 2019
He has been phenomenal, but he's not perfect so some of y'all act like he is average.
Shame on you. https://t.co/VAMzJDVECm
— "World Series Champion" Washington Nationals (@KDDrummondNFL) November 11, 2019
— KD
The Cowboys are wasting Dak Prescott :: The Draft Network
Prescott is proving his doubters wrong by his play so far this season and his nearly 400-yard performance against the Vikings cemented his status.
*nods in Tony Romo* https://t.co/FKE8yNgTjp
— "World Series Champion" Washington Nationals (@KDDrummondNFL) November 11, 2019
–CM
The Cowboys failed to get a statement win in a critical game vs. the Vikings, and that’s on Jason Garrett :: Dallas Morning News
A victory over the Vikings would have sent a statement to the rest of the NFL that Cowboys are for real. Unfortunately, they stuck to an ultra-conservative philosophy of running the ball straight into the opponent, no matter the result.
–CM
Film room: 3 takeaways from Cowboys’ loss to Vikings, including an outstanding Dak Prescott performance gone to waste :: Dallas Morning News
John Owning gives his three takeaways from Sunday night’s loss. While he also focuses on Prescott’s greatness and taking the game out of his hands, he has other areas to take to task.
Missed tackles, poor LB pursuit ruin Cowboys’ run defense
The Vikings may have finished with 36 carries for 153 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry) and a score, but it was the 10 straight runs for 61 yards and touchdown on Minnesota’s lone touchdown drive that really broke the back of the Cowboys’ defense.
It was yet another instance of Dallas’ poor run defense setting the stage for disappointment, harking back to losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams from last season. The Cowboys struggled mightily at bringing down Vikings running backs on first contact. In fact, 77 of Cook’s 97 rushing yards came after contact, illustrating Dallas’ tackling issues.
— KD
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