The Scoop:
For the third-straight week, Dallas found themselves in a tight game, with a chance to win late, and for the second time, Cowboys’ fans saw that effort come up just short. Of the three games thus far, this was one where many felt Dallas was the true underdog, making the fact that we held a late lead all the more frustrating.
Let’s be honest, this division is quickly looking like the worst in the NFL. After only producing two wins in eight combined games to start the season, the NFC East went winless in week three, with Philadelphia’s tie against Cincinnati being the only non-loss. With that being said, the Cowboys aren’t exactly losing ground, but are missing out on a precious opportunity to take the lead in the division.
The optimist in me believes that Dallas has looked the best of the bunch and has been far more competitive against stiffer competition. However, the reality is this team would be 0-3 if not for a miracle onside kick.
I think the most frustrating part is that this team doesn’t look all that different than they did a year ago when the coaching staff was the evidential culprit. Like most Cowboys’ fans, I’m doing my best to be patient considering the circumstances, but this narrative of talented teams that play undisciplined, mistake-plagued football that cost them as many games as they win is all too familiar.
Yes, the offense looks incredible at times, but the struggles on defense and special teams are putting too much pressure them. In the past, Dallas could make up for that with their ball-control offense that ate up huge chunks of the clock.
However, the passing game has been the most consistent part of this team thus far. Prescott made history on Sunday by becoming the first Cowboys’ quarterback to throw for 400 yards in consecutive games.
He currently leads the NFL in passing by 150 yards, while four different receivers have produced at least 100 yards in a game, with Amari Cooper having done it twice. I’m just not sure Dallas can go back to two and three-tight end sets for the majority of the game to slow things down and make up for a struggling defense.
There is too much talent on the perimeter, and the offensive line injuries are showing up more in the run game than they are in pass protection. The bottom line is we’ve seen three very similar performances thus far in the season, and it’s resulted in them being 1-2. In the NFC East, that may be good enough, but winning NFC East titles is not where this team’s expectations end.
What went wrong:
Costly penalties
Ten penalties in a game where you are an underdog on the road is unacceptable. Still, the magnitude of some of these infractions was gut-wrenching. In a tied game in the second quarter, Dallas committed three whoppers that continually breathed new life into the Seahawks.
The first was an illegal contact penalty on Daryl Worley that erased a sack by Jourdan Lewis that would have forced a punt. Four plays later, Lewis’ pass interference penalty spoiled an interception that would have put a halt to the Seattle drive. Brandon Carr also got called for pass interference in the back of the end zone the next play.
On Seattle’s next offensive possession, what would have gone down as a sack for Joe Thomas on third down was spoiled by a defensive holding penalty by Lewis. The illegal contact call on Jaylon Smith was frustrating as well, along with the double-whammy of Greg Olsen catching the football.
A false start penalty on Cedrick Wilson that pushed Dallas back to first and 15 was crucial as well. Dallas only gained two yards on the next three plays and settled for a field goal to take the lead in the fourth quarter.
The roughing the passer penalty on the two-point conversion was another big blow to give them a second-chance at extending the lead to seven late in the game. These weren’t little miscues that we overcame a play or two later. These are all things that either resulted in points for Seattle or fewer points for Dallas and in a one-score game, they are crucial mistakes.
Oh, and three turnovers didn’t help either. Two of them resulted in touchdowns for Seattle on the following drive, and the final ended the game.
Coverage Blunders
This one is disappointing because talent had little to do with it. The Cowboys’ secondary is already suffering from injuries, and average at best when they are all on the field. However, we can’t afford to have mental or communication lapses in coverage.
Tyler Lockett couldn’t have been more open in his touchdowns, and all were either mental or communication issues. On the deep touchdown, one of our two safeties have to be covering that deep route. Whether it was Xavier Woods who appeared to get sucked up by a crossing route or Darian Thompson who didn’t communicate with Woods on who went with the crosser and who went deep, it was botched.
On the second, Trevon Diggs got caught peaking inside after the snap caught him off guard. Seattle did that all afternoon, and it continued to frustrate me that we weren’t getting set up quicker. On the third, Diggs passed Lockett off to someone else, but no one either heard it or spotted him.
I don’t blame Diggs as much on what should have been D.K. Metcalf’s first touchdown. Diggs tried to get on Metcalf’s hip but bounced off of him when Metcalf through a shoulder into him as part of his break toward the post.
Metcalf is a monster at his size, and with his speed, I’m not sure many corners in football can take that blow and stay step for step with him. It was great hustle to force the fumble that resulted in a touchback.
However, on Metcalf’s touchdown that proved to be the go-ahead score, Thompson got caught flat-footed in what appeared to be bracket coverage where he was specifically helping on Metcalf. Not sure if Thompson just didn’t understand how fast Metcalf is or just got caught being complacent, but if you’re flat-footed while he is running full speed, you’re not preventing him from getting the ball.
Prior to that, not sure what was going on with Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas either on the fourth-down conversion. We appeared to be in cover two man, which would have had Smith responsible for the tight end and Thomas for the back.
However, when they crossed, it would have made it impossible for Thomas to get to the back in the flat. Smith immediately peeled off on him, yet Thomas ran right by the tight end to get to the flat route. I don’t if this was a communication error, or Thomas just had a brain fart, but Olsen didn’t hesitate to sit down when Thomas bypassed him, and the safety had no chance to break on the route from his depth.
Once again, these aren’t talent issues. They are communication and mental blunders, and that can’t happen when you are already at a deficit talent-wise.
Seattle’s Defensive Scheme
Once again, a brilliant scheme by the opposing coach left Dallas struggling. In week one, it was Sean McVay and his quick counts and formations that took advantage of a team in a new scheme without the benefit of an offseason.
This time, it was a defensive scheme that took advantage of the Cowboys’ issues at tackle. With two young, inexperienced reserves in place with Brandon Knight and Terence Steele, the Seahawks forced the Cowboys to rely on them in the run game by jamming up the middle.
Ken Norton slid his ends from a typical five-technique to shading over the guard’s outside shoulder. With three defensive linemen clogging up the A and B gaps, Dallas had little chance at success running inside. That defense was vulnerable against stretch plays to the perimeter, but in order to do that, Knight and Steele needed to do a terrific job on the edge and against the linebackers at the second level.
To say that it was reasonable to expect those two to handle Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright in space is foolish. It was a brilliant strategy that made Dallas one-dimensional. The Cowboys tried to incorporate some screen passes to Ezekiel Elliott and the receivers as an extension of the run game, and even ran the option with Dak Prescott a few times, but had little success.
Tip of the hat to Pete Carroll and former-Cowboy great, Ken Norton Jr. It was a smart move, and extra cuddos for incorporating the quick count similar to what the Rams’ did. Just like I said following the Rams’ loss, the staff better get used to things like this until we are healthy and have a keen grasp of the playbook on both sides. It would also be nice to see some concepts coming from our sideline.
Special Team’s inconsistency
This can’t continue for the Cowboys. Three-straight, one-possession games to start the season, and once again, how would this game have looked without the mistakes from Dallas? Several came from our special team’s units, which is only on the field for limited snaps in each contest.
A missed extra point from one of the most expensive kickers in the game, as well as a second being blocked. If those points are on the board, how does it change things in the second half? On the touchdown pass to Michael Gallup, the extra point gives us a one-point lead instead of needing to go for two to tie it, which we did not get.
That’s now three points off the board because of two missed extra points, assuming we would have made the kick following the Gallup touchdown. Now, that late field goal gives us a four-point lead instead of one, and Seattle is far less enticed to go for two after their touchdown to regain the lead.
That means Dallas is likely down three on their final drive. I know this is all hypothetical, but that is a very likely scenario of what this game looks like if we make those two extra points, as well as a third that was never attempted because of the need to go for a two-point conversion to tie it up late.
Oh, and I’m not sure what to say about Tony Pollard on the kickoff. I haven’t been overly thrilled with him as a kick returner. He doesn’t often get to full speed when he takes it out of the end zone, and that’s the most likely way to spring one.
On top of that, the fumble put us in a terrible position, inside our own one-yard line, which turned into a safety after the next snap. Once again, a one-possession game where points were basically offered up on a silver platter. As I said, these missteps can’t continue for us.
What went right:
Receivers continue to be as advertised
This has been the one constant for Dallas in 2020, as Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb all rank in the top 20 in receiving yards through three weeks. Each has now led the way in receiving yards once in the first three games, and I can only imagine how frustrating that has to be for opposing defensive coordinators.
The Cowboys have been in every game thus far, and this bunch is the reason why. Gallup has made some incredible plays on 50-50 balls, while Amari Cooper always seems to be open. On top of that, CeeDee Lamb has been as advertised as a player with an incredible ability to adjust to off-target throws and make plays after the catch.
On top of that, Cedrick Wilson joined the party with five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns this week as well. I suggested in our Week One Recap that Wilson could be used in some of Blake Jarwin’s snaps where he is flexed out.
Dalton Schultz has done a very nice job as more of a possession tight end, but Jarwin’s ability to be an option down the field was what had many in this organization excited for him this year. In Seattle, we saw that from Wilson, and I’d be shocked if we don’t see it more.
The bottom line is this group had extremely high expectations coming into this season, and they have somehow found a way to exceed them thus far. It’s easy to say we are an onside kick away from 0-3, but we are also a handful of plays from 3-0, and the receivers are the biggest reason for it.
Aldon Smith, the Comeback Player of the Year Candidate
Not much has gone right with this defense, but Smith has been terrific. He looks powerful in his pass rush with an NFL-best four sacks and ranks third on the defense with 20 tackles. Getting Russell Wilson to the ground is not easy, and Smith did it three times and could have been credited with another half sack with Antwaun Woods.
No offense to Demarcus Lawrence, but this is something Dallas has been missing since Demarcus Ware was released. Opposing offenses have to account for Smith on every play, run or pass, which Lawrence appeared to be when we paid him a year and a half ago.
Each of his sacks led to punts, and this defense needs as much of that as possible, considering they currently have the third-worst scoring defense in the league. If Smith continues to disrupt opposing offenses the way he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he deserves to be in the conversation for Comeback Player of the Year, and possibly even Defensive Player of the Year.
I know Comeback Player of the Year will be tough considering what Ben Roethlisberger and Cam Newton have been doing, but Smith’s story is unique, and I’m not betting against his chances if he continues at this pace.
Dak Prescott’s historic effort
Prescott’s contract was one of the hottest topics of the offseason, and while Dallas is 1-2, it’s not wrong to say he is living up to his demands. Sure, he’s missed some throws and made some poor decisions, but we can’t credit the receivers without also giving him his due.
The Cowboys’ signal-caller is currently leading the league in passing by 150 yards, and he is coming off his second-straight effort producing 450 yards through the air. That has never been done in the history of a franchise that has included names like Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Danny White, and Tony Romo.
It’s also important to point out that Prescott has run the ball 14 times for an average of 5.3 yards per carry and three scores. On Sunday, he went punch for punch with Russell Wilson and nearly got the last laugh.
I know the interception to end the game seemed like a panic move, but considering the sack he had just spun out of, I can’t blame him. Best case scenario there, he runs it out of bounds, and we have one last chance to throw one in the end zone just like he did on the interception.
When I talked about Prescott having “$40M moments” this season after week one, I talked about him needing to make spectacular plays in big moments. We know he’s not going to make throws like Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, or Aaron Rodgers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make plays in other ways.
Getting out of that sack on the final interception is a play I don’t see many in this league being able to escape. Yes, the ball ended up being intercepted, but if he goes down, we are talking about how he didn’t even get a chance to finish after leading us down the field.
To put than hand down and keep his knees and elbows from hitting the ground was a tremendous effort. It’s also important to point out that he put up this kind of performance with a running game that did him no favors.
It’s one thing to abandon a run game that can beat a team because the defense still has to worry about it and prepare for it. Seattle flat out shut down Ezekiel Elliott and was pinning their ears back against second-string tackles.
It was another terrific performance from Prescott with a few blemishes. If he gets those cleaned up, I can’t see an MVP conversation that doesn’t include his name.
Tyler Biadasz gets on the field
I had to include this because it is significant that they felt comfortable enough to insert him after they choose to sit Terence Steele down. Reports are an illness may have been a factor in that decision, and no, it wasn’t coronavirus.
Still, this isn’t like subbing in a guard or even a tackle. This is a player that handles the ball on every snap. Yes, Biadasz had come in for a drive earlier in the game, but for Mike McCarthy and his staff to have that kind of confidence in Biadasz is a good sign.
Many felt Biadasz was a day-two talent in the draft, and Dallas got their hands on him in the fourth round. There has naturally been optimism that he could be the long-term answer at center, but coming out of college, there were pad-level issues to correct.
I didn’t notice any glaring issues from his play on Sunday. We’re not sure what the plan will be in week four. Will Steele be back? Will Tyron Smith be back? We do know La’el Collins is going to be a mystery until the hip and correlating issues get better. What we do know is this staff has confidence in their rookie center, and that is encouraging.
Where do we go from here?
Who is getting healthy?
We have been told that La’el Collins’ return won’t come this week or possibly even the next few. Tyron Smith has a chance this week, and with Myles Garrett lining up across the line of scrimmage, it’s going to be crucial to Dallas’ chances.
The Browns’ defense has been nearly as bad as Dallas’ at giving up points, but Garrett can be a difference-maker like few others in this league, and if Terence Steele and Brandon Knight are both starting a tackle, there is only so many ways to help them.
Smith would allow the Cowboys to focus their protection help to one side, assuming he is healthy enough to be his usual self. If Garrett is less of a factor, that secondary will struggle to stop these receivers.
On the other side, the Browns have a solid group of receivers themselves, and while Chidobe Awuzie and Anthony Brown won’t be available, Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis have been banged up as well. Hopefully, neither came out of the Seattle game any worse than they went in because Cleveland has a balanced attack, similar to the one the Rams showed in week one, and the Browns’ offensive line is much improved.
When does coaching give us an upper hand?
As I mentioned earlier, the Cowboys have run into some opportunistic coaches in the first several weeks, but when do Mike McCarthy and his crew show us that first brilliant schematic twist that works in our favor?
Cleveland is not exactly healthy, especially on defense. I’d love to see Dallas get backed to dominating the time of possession because the Browns will if we don’t. This has to be a week where Ezekiel Elliott shines, and with an undersized group on the interior, that may be possible.
Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, and Jordan Elliott are a talented bunch but not the biggest. Many Cowboys fans love to point out when Connor Williams loses a rep, but he has improved each year. Where he has his issues is with powerful players, and more importantly, the ones that move well enough to keep him on his toes.
However, Williams’ athleticism is an asset to this bunch, and I could see it paying off. If we can get good play from our interior three on the offensive line, the Cowboys rushing attack can shine. If that happens, we can control the pace of the game and force Cleveland to be the one making adjustments.
The team whose defense spends more time on the field is likely going to be the team that wins this game, and that would be where I place my focus when considering a scheme twist.
What comes of Trysten Hill controversy?
Not everybody will like my opinion on this, but the second I saw Chris Carson come up hurt, I was not happy with Hill. I get the idea of a gator roll when using the “Hawk” tackling method, but the twisting of the foot and extra roll was excessive, and it was a dirty play.
Maybe he wasn’t sure if the runner was down. For anyone who has ever made a tackle, you can feel when a player’s effort has dropped, and the play is over. It certainly appeared Carson’s legs had gone limp, letting Hill know he was down.
I’d love to believe that there was no malice or ill-intent by the second-year defensive lineman, but I’m not sure there is a more likely conclusion. Perhaps his emotions got the best of him, but it wasn’t right when Albert Haynesworth was scraping his cleat across Andre Gurode’s face, knowing his helmet was off, and this appears to have a similar intent.
I truly hope Chris Carson’s injury is not significant, and I hope Hill isn’t on a path that mimics Haynesworth or Ndamukong Suh. It’s one thing to have players that are passionate and play physical, but the intent to injure is not acceptable, no matter what uniform they are wearing. It doesn’t appear like Hill will be suspended by the league, but he most certainly better learn his lesson as if he was.
