The Minnesota Vikings scored an upset victory at home against the Dallas Cowboys, blowing up the Cowboys’ playoff chances in a big way. This loss drops their record to 6-7-1 with only three games remaining in their season. Now, they are looking up at a dismal 1% playoff odds. The Cowboys will need to take the NFC East to return to the playoffs. That’ll be no small task, especially given how well they played of late.
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ quarterback, was under duress all afternoon. It was only the third game this season in which he didn’t throw a touchdown pass. His frustration was palpable as he reflected on the team’s inability to find effective answers against the Vikings’ defense.
We didn’t have good enough answers, Prescott stated. Especially against [Vikings defensive coordinator Brian] Flores, you’re going to see it over and over and over again.
The Cowboys suffered a heartbreaking loss immediately following their Thanksgiving win over the Kansas City Chiefs. That victory had momentarily lifted the optimism barometer for the crew. Their suddenly continued slide down the standings has raised eyebrows about whether they’ll even make the playoffs at this point. To add insult to injury, team kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two long attempts from 51 and 59 yards. It was only the second time in his career that he failed to convert on multiple tries. That was one wild flip flop over the course of one game!
Even with those issues, Prescott told the council he was committed to doing better in the future. “I’m definitely surprised, hurt, pissed off, frustrated,” he said. “All I can do is get better tomorrow.”
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer reiterated Prescott’s message, saying that all is not lost if you just weather the storm of back-to-back losses. “You drop two games in a row and you dust yourself off and you get back to work,” Schottenheimer remarked. One area that he specifically mentioned that the team failed to do was take control of the game, as that was what ended up killing their shot at victory.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones didn’t mince words about the team’s current situation. “I don’t know what else you would call a miracle,” he said, alluding to the long odds stacked against the Cowboys as they head into the homestretch of the season.
The three most important games remaining on the Cowboys’ schedule are the most winnable. They have to come together fast to save their playoff hopes. The upcoming matches will be crucial for determining whether Dallas can turn their fortune around or if this season will end in disappointment.
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