Dallas Cowboys: 5 concerns after loss in Jacksonville

The Dallas Cowboys had all-time epic mental meltdown in a crushing loss to the Jaguars. They started out strong, taking a commanding 17-point lead late into the 3rd quarter.

Then the wheels came off. There was not one mistake that lost the game, but a series of mistakes. No one on either side of the ball could stop the bleeding.

The Dallas Cowboys blew a 17-point lead.

It was a total team failure and their opportunity to capture the NFC East is done. This was the Green Bay game 2.0

Talk about wetting the bed.

No. 1: Are the Dallas Cowboys front runners

They may not be one, but they are showing the classic signs of one.

In their last two losses, they have blown double digit leads late in games. A 14-point 4 quarter lead and a 17-point 3 quarter lead.

Once the trouble starts. Everyone was trying to extinguish the grease fire with water.

They are a talented group, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee wins in this league. Mental fortitude does. Cracks in the Dallas armor are showing. Is it late season fatigue? During this time of the year. Everyone is dealing with physical injuries and mental stress. Overcome it.

The Cowboys’ inability to snuff out the hope of inferior opponents is no longer has become a pattern. The pleasant talk of learning from the experience has faded. It is showtime.

Show us, not tell us. It’s all about performing in the biggest games.

No. 2: What to do with Kelvin Joseph.

Kelvin Joseph gave up two touchdowns in the second half and was benched. He looked lost more often when he tried to jump a route with no safety help.

Nahshon Wright finished the rest of the game.

Where do they go from here? It is possible they move forward with Wright, but he looked just as lost as Joseph in coverage. But he didn’t give up any 59-yard TD passes, either.

Before you ask why Dan Quinn didn’t aid Joseph with safety support. It appeared to my eyes that Malik Hooker was tasked with providing safety help. His reaction was late and he end up providing no help.

Game flipped.

No. 3: Dak Prescott

Prescott has thrown 11 interceptions in the last 9 games. Once upon a time, he was a QB who protected the ball. Now he has become careless with it. The first interception was on him. The second one was not.

Still, Prescott has become a gun slinger who cannot grasp risk vs reward. Instead of masking the problems in the second half, he compounded them.

Unfortunately, Kellen Moore, his offensive coordinator, has provided him any solutions when things get tough. He needs to take charge here.

He doesn’t like when a play that is called. Don’t run it.

This is the burden that comes with being paid $40M a season.

No. 4: Offensive inconsistency

The offense struggled in the second half to find their footing. There was no offensive production in the second half. Will Jerry Jones overreact and sign Odell Beckman believing he can be a savor?

One player can’t fix what is troubling Dallas. The Dallas

Poor route designs that result in a congested space. Poor play calling that results in negative yards. The inability to get the most explosive players involved during critical situations.

There was nothing to lean on late to get a first down and secure the win. It was another grind to get on track after starting out in the first half so beautifully.

Instead of scoring TDs, Dallas was settling for FGs. Leaving points on the field.

Why was Noah Brown being featured during money time?

We saw this in the playoffs against the 49ers. Instead of featuring their most explosive players, Dallas featured Dalton Shultz and Cedric Wilson.

Will Mike McCarthy ever take the keys away from Kellen Moore? Unlikely. He has linked his faith to his an offensive coordinator.

“You have to be ready to play. This isn’t a little boys’ league. Coaches coach grown men. When your opportunity comes, …there can’t be a drop-off.” – Jayron Kearse

No. 5: Defensive Unit

Where has the Dallas Cowboys pass rush gone? The pass rush was non-existent, as Dallas recorded just one sack on Sunday. The pass rush could help the struggles with a young secondary.

Too often it was close but not finishing the play. The defense was a problem. Not having 3 key defensive starters on the field was felt.

No matter what a self-loathing fan base may think. Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, and Leighton Vander Esch could have help this defense that couldn’t get a stop late.

As bad as Kelvin Joseph was, Anthony Barr was his equal. A player in name only. I can assume that George Edwards didn’t bring Barr to sit, but he was a major liability in space.

I was surprised Dallas didn’t bench him to sit beside Joseph. His reaction time was poor, his inability to chase side line to sideline was glaring.

The defense allowed over 500 yards of total offense.

Good news for the Dallas Cowboys: All is not lost.

What lies ahead is challenging, but not impossible. The Dallas Cowboys will have to win 3 road games to accomplish their goals of winning a super bowl.

Based on recent history. It could be a tall mountain to climb for a group with no recent playoffs success. A team that has inflicted mental trauma on it’s fan base.

Still, why not them?

• Published on 12/19/2022 at 23:01 PM
• Last updated at 12/19/2022 at 18:41 PM