The Dallas Cowboys came back down to earth in Week 14, as they lost 44-30 to the Detroit Lions, snapping their three-game win streak. The Athletic's simulator now suggests the Cowboys have a 9% chance of making the playoffs.
It'll be an uphill climb for the Cowboys to make the playoffs, as they only have four games remaining on the regular season schedule. They don't have any room for error, which was evident in the loss to the Lions.
Multiple guys didn't play their best, and tight end Jake Ferguson was one of them. And one of his flaws emerged again in primetime. In the second quarter, Dak Prescott dumped the ball off to Ferguson on a 3rd and 21, and Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell punched the ball out.
Fumbles have become a common problem for Ferguson lately. Bobby Belt of 105.3 TheFan pointed out that Ferguson has seven fumbles in his last 25 games. That's a stark difference, as he didn't fumble at all in his first 35 career games.
Jake Ferguson Has a Fumbling Problem
He has fumbled at least three times in the past two seasons, and it's a problem that has caught the attention of head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who called it a "fundamentals issue and he has to take care of the ball."
Putting the football on the ground is unacceptable and has become a trend that fans' hopes fade away. And the fact that Schottenheimer said it's fundamental means Ferguson isn't putting in the consistent effort needed to protect the ball.
Sometimes in the NFL, the other guy just makes a really good play, and you just have to tip your cap. That's going to happen at times, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Ferguson needs to make a better effort moving forward to hold onto the ball.
He's averaging 7.4 yards per reception this season, which is the lowest mark of his career. The Wisconsin product doesn't provide much YAC and wiggle room after the catch, meaning he's more of a possession pass catcher. With that being his calling card, he can't put the ball on the ground.
The temperature around Ferguson in the fanbase isn't in the best place right now. With him putting the ball on the ground at a high rate lately, fans expect more. This is especially true after Dallas handed him a four-year, $52 million extension in July.
They want more from their starting tight end, who got paid handsomely, because this flaw has become a major problem for the Cowboys.