The Dallas Cowboys faced a disappointing defeat against the Denver Broncos, losing 44-24 in a game that raised more questions than answers about the team’s identity and performance. Despite losing star receiver CeeDee Lamb, this loss took an especially heavy toll on the Cowboys. Now, they’re looking at an overwhelmingly difficult NFL season at 3-4-1.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who has proven to be a game-changer in the Cowboys’ offensive approach, had trouble establishing a flow versus Denver. The Cowboys were unstoppable at AT&T Stadium, scoring better than 40 points a game. On the road, their performance has sputtered, falling to a mere 24 points per game. Prescott emphasized the need for consistency in his post-game remarks, stating, “It’s hard to even give you an identity until we put a couple of games together in a row.”
Unfortunately, their defense was put under an even heavier spotlight. Their pass rush was abysmal, resulting in no sacks on the Broncos. This failure to create pressure provided a huge cushion that allowed Denver’s offense to hum on all cylinders for most of the game. Injuries have only exacerbated the issues on defense. With star cornerback Trevon Diggs already lost for the season after being placed on IR, replacing the All-Pro will be a tall order. Other than that, there’s still a lot of hope surrounding safety Donovan Wilson, who could potentially be making his return this week.
Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys’ head coach, was fuming after the game. He challenged his players to reflect on their efforts, asking, “If anybody feels like you coached or played well today, raise your hand.” Schottenheimer reinforced the need for growth and learning from their mistakes, stating, “We have to learn from it. We have to fix it.”
In an impressive off-the-field moment, new veteran defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney, had a private audience with Dak Prescott. Clowney’s presence has sparked discussions about potential strategies moving forward, especially as the Cowboys prepare for their next two games against formidable opponents: the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders on “Monday Night Football.”
With half of the season under their belt, the Cowboys are still in an unusual danger zone. As of this writing, they stand 10th in the NFC playoff chase. Now five of their next seven games are against teams with winning records.
Prescott’s leadership will be essential as they make these changes in the face of inevitable challenges. In reflecting on adversity, he noted, “Adversity reveals character and builds it.” His words summarize perfectly where the team is at right now and the need to move beyond this.
The next set of games presents a significant opportunity for the Cowboys to reshape their narrative. They need to address their contradictions on offense and defense. The Dominion offense definitely needs to return to its high-scoring nature. On the other hand, the defense has to fly to the ball, rush the passer, and rush their teammates. It’s a brotherhood.
As they prepare for these all-important high stakes showdowns, Cowboys’ fans remain hopeful. Most of all, they know their team can face adversity and create a true identity, something that will echo through the rest of the season.
Leave a Reply