The Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s biggest enigma. Despite being talented at every turn, they’ve somehow squandered opportunities to prove what and who they really are as a football team. Thursday night was no different. The Cowboys lose to the …
The Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s biggest enigma. Despite being talented at every turn, they’ve somehow squandered opportunities to prove what and who they really are as a football team. Thursday night was no different.
The Cowboys lose to the injury-ravaged Chicago Bears, 31-24, in what may be Dallas’ worst loss of the season. Dallas made a statement, opening with a 17-play, 75-yard drive capped off with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown. Chicago would respond by moving the ball down the field; however, an errand pass by Mitch Trubisky was intercepted by Dion Lewis. The early turnover wouldn’t slow down the Bears though as they scored 17 unanswered points taking a 10-point lead into halftime.
Dak Prescott entered Thursday’s game as the NFL’s passing leader, but struggled to find the necessary rhythm to win the ball game. Elliott was an early catalyst, wreaking havoc on opposing Bears’ defenders. In the first half, he finished with 13 carries for 72 yards and one touchdown. The second half, no fault of his own, Elliott was less of a factor. The Bears maintained a favorable lead forcing the Cowboys to rely solely its on passing game. Chicago boast elite pass rushers and good coverage defensive backs and easily neutralized the Cowboys’ offense.
Luckily, the Cowboys are in the NFC’s worst division, the East, and remain alive with the lead position. It’s not completely desperation mode for the Cowboys, but to play without any urgency during a three-game losing streak is extremely troubling. Rumblings surfaced Dallas’ practices were chippy this past week but the Bears surely knocked the chip off those shoulders. This losing streak has revealed when adversity strikes the Cowboys have no idea who they truly are. Next weeks’ game is at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Like the Cowboys, the Rams are competing for a postseason birth.
Stock Down: Dallas’ Defense
Dallas’ lacked tackling fundamentals and effort. Collectively, Thursday’s game may be the single-worst tackling effort of any team this season. Chidobe Awuzie missed two huge tackles that lead to touchdowns. Xavier Woods missed key tackles. $100 million man, DeMarcus Lawerence, recorded one tackle and neglible no impact on the game. Dallas’ entire pass rush created little to no pressure for Bears’ signal-caller Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky, who’s struggled most of the year, scored four touchdowns, playing his best game of the season.
Dallas’ biggest problem on defense may be Jaylon Smith, a huge coverage liability who is best at read then react.
Starting middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is out, expanding Smith’s role thus more coverage. The Bears targeted Smith on three consecutive passes in the red zone. To Smith’s credit, he made three excellent plays, one which was ruled an Allen Robinson touchdown. However, The Bears clearly favored their pass catchers against Smith. Surely the Rams took notice and will scheme match-ups to try and exploit Smith the way Sean McVay did during the 2017 season.
Stock Down: Dallas’ Coaching Staff
During Dallas’ three-game losing streak, they’ve yet to score in the third quarter, a staple of the unit through the early part of the season. Dallas’ coaches are no longer adjusting throughout games. The first drive is scripted: the advantages a coaching staff noticed during film study. Great team make the necessary adjustments without deviating from what they do best. Subpar teams are rigid and fail to adjust. The Cowboys are that.
Owner Jerry Jones voice carries so much weight, it’s hard to think Jason Garrett has a respected voice in his own locker room. Garrett discusses the importance of winning a Tuesday practice while Jones discusses Super Bowl aspirations. The messaging disconnect is taking its toll on the locker room and how the Cowboys perform. Thursday’s game was a team who doesn’t know who they are and why they must play for each other. Dallas’ hierarchy isn’t empowering Garrett to actually lead and coach this team.
Stock Down: Dak Prescott
Prescott’s 334 passing yards are misleading as a great portion were garbage-time stats after the game was already decided. In the first half, Prescott was 6 of 13 for 60 yards and no touchdowns. The Bears lead 17-7 then scored on the opening drive of second half, to take a commanding 24-7 lead. The Cowboys’ next two possession were three and outs and though the clock hadn’t yet reached all zeros, the game was already decided.
Where was Prescott when the Cowboys needed him the most? The passing rhythm was entirely off. Prescott was somewhat inaccurate, but receivers also struggled to hold onto passes. The Cowboys’ opening drive established what looked a blueprint to defeat the Bears, but needing to convert four third downs favored the Bears’ defense. Very few offenses can maintain that level of efficiency throughout an entire game. The Cowboys never adjusted. Prescott never adjusted.
Dallas is faced with the “How much does Dak deserves” conundrum. Prescott’s statistics are terrific. His leadership and podium presence is even better. He stabilized the franchise as Tony Romo battled through injuries. He’s won the division two of his three years, but this year’s Cowboys aren’t winning the big games.
Thursday’s game and the’ current losing streak certainly impact negotiations. The front office staff may consider using the franchise tag to buy more time on a decision.
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