Missed Opportunities, Mistakes Doom Dallas Cowboys
By Ben Davila
Despite solid play from rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and found a way to lose.
If we heard yesterday morning that the Dallas Cowboys would hold the Giants to twenty points and win the turnover battle, a win would’ve seemed highly likely. This is the Cowboys we’re talking about, though. Nothing is given.
This organization does not deal well with success. Adversity tends to make them look like bumbling buffoons incapable of getting out of their own way.
Such was the case yesterday afternoon. Despite dominating time of possession, Dallas could only muster three first half field goals. The most costly of those three drives occurred when rookie quarterback Dak Prescott hit receiver Cole Beasley in the hands for what should have been an easy touchdown. Alas, the ball clanked off Beasley’s mitts. The Cowboys had to settle for three.
Settling was an apt metaphor for the day. Too many times, the Cowboys moved the ball well. Too many times, they had to settle for field goals. In the meantime, the defense gave up chunks of yardage at the worst possible moments. Yet it all boiled down to a late fourth quarter opportunity where victory was still within reach.
More from Dallas Cowboys
- West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
- Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
- Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
- Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Jourdan Lewis a tradeable asset?
Perennial underachieving receiver Terrance Williams caught a pass with a clear path to the sideline. Inexplicably, he stayed in bounds and got tackled with no timeouts left. Of course, the clock ran out. We will never know if kicker Dan Bailey would have made a long field goal for the win. Terrance Williams never gave his team that chance. This is why he should be cut today. An example needs to be made.
The problem here is that examples are seldom made in this organization. We can hear all the platitudes about how Williams was crying at his locker after the game. His disjointed explanation provided trite sound bites. The simple fact of the matter is he is a veteran still prone to making stupid mistakes. That is the worst type of tenured player. He isn’t smart, and he is liable to make the worst types of mistakes at the worst possible times.
In a nutshell, that is what makes rooting for this team one of the most difficult jobs in sports. For every Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, or Jason Witten, there is a Terrance Williams, Demarcus Lawrence, and Randy Gregory that can’t keep it together long enough to help their team on the field. Being a Dallas Cowboys’ fan is an ever-expanding exercise in futility.
The good news is that Dak Prescott did nothing to diminish the excitement he generated during the preseason. By and large, he appeared poised and unhurried. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott was effective in moving the chains despite his paltry rushing totals. A touchdown in his debut game did not hurt, either.
Next: Dallas Cowboys lose to New York Giants 20-19: Post Game Quick Takes
More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth
- West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
- Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
- Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
- Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Jourdan Lewis a tradeable asset?
The reality, however, is that no one on this team will ever feel like their job is on the line. The egregious nature of Williams’s boner should cost him his place on this squad. It will be a thorough surprise if that ever comes to pass. Mediocrity is the rule as long as Jerry Jones is alive and well.