FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys are now a 3-5 team and their season is in jeopardy. Following the 28-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Jason Garrett addressed the game, “ the most positive thing was the start. The defense had two turnovers…. you want to come away with 13 or 17 points. We had 7. You have to cash in. We did not handle the success and adversity. We did not play 60 minutes…every player and coach plays a piece of this. We control our own destiny from here. “
The offense has to maximize opportunities when in the red zone and Dallas was not able to do that. A missed field goal and an interception in the end zone left Dallas with only seven points. One bright spot was Amari Cooper who made his first NFL debut as a Dallas Cowboy and helped open up the passing game. He finished with five receptions for 58 yards, an 11.6 average, and a touchdown. He is a fresh target for Dak Prescott and a wide-out threat.
Defensively, several players made an impact on the field:
DeMarcus Lawrence had a forced fumble, resulting in Dak Prescott’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper. He recorded a sack on Mariota, marking 30.0 for his career and making him the ninth player in team history to reach the mark. He is a beast off the edge and limits QB’s timing in the pocket.
Jaylon Smith recovered his first career fumble in the first quarter, putting our offense back on the field with good field position. He led the team in defense along with Leighton Vander Esch, tying with six tackles and three assists. He has a knack for being around the football and the Cowboys’ will need his playmaking ability now with Sean Lee missing some time due to a hamstring injury.
Daniel Ross had several quarterback pressures throughout the game and recorded his first sack of the 2018 season. He has been an underrated player but has good penetration disrupting opponent’s gaps in the defensive line and breaking up pass plays.
The Cowboys hopes are alive with only two games back in the NFC East, but they have the toughest part of their schedule ahead of them as they face the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Falcons in Arizona, and the Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The team has to place accountability where it is due and fix the offensive issues now for a chance at the remainder of the season. They have to stay ahead of the chains, diversify the play calling with aggressive hurried up drives to benefit Dak Prescott, and the offensive line issues have to be ironed out to protect Prescott from the blitz.
