The Dallas Cowboys might be 1-1 for the season, but there aren't that many things to be excited about right now. If anything, the fact that America's Team had to go to overtime to beat the lowly New York Giants should be a reason for concern.
Once again, the Cowboys' defense has left plenty to be desired. Their failure to get to the quarterback is far from a surprise after the Micah Parsons trade, but watching the secondary give up big play after big play was certainly frustrating.
That's why owner/general manager Jerry Jones wanted to make a statement. True to form, the 82-year-old face of the Cowboys sent a not-so-cryptic message that may have been directed to safety Donovan Wilson, who had a huge interception in overtime but was burned all through the afternoon.
Jerry Jones Wants Effort, Not Highlights from Donovan Wilson
"As much as anything, it's a buying into the scheme. You've got to handle your responsibilities," Jones said, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. "You can't just be out there trying to make a play. Make sure your (responsibilities are covered first). You can't be a lone ranger out there."
Jones' words were most definitely a dig at Wilson, who was spotted celebrating after the win despite being a non-factor for most of the game.
Of course, the veteran defensive back deserves some credit for coming down with the late-game interception, but that pick was all on Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, who kept trying to push the ball down the field because the Cowboys simply couldn't get a stop all day long.
Through two weeks of play, the veteran safety has only logged three total tackles, and he's been on the wrong end of some big plays. The Cowboys gave up scoring plays of 29, 32, and 48 yards, and they made 36-year-old Russell Wilson look like prime Peyton Manning for most of the game. That's not an encouraging sign for what's to come.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer's team will kick the wheels to face off with the 0-2 Chicago Bears in a game the home side simply cannot afford to lose. And with the Bears' myriad of big-play threats and HC Ben Johnson looking to prove that he's one of the best offensive play-callers in the game, it's pretty clear who to target in the passing game.
Hopefully, Wilson will build from the momentum of his late-game pick. There's not much to celebrate after costing the Cowboys over and over, and it takes more than one big play to make up for it.