The Cowboys defense played poorly against the Lions, but Dallas’ silent killer was something else
The Dallas Cowboys lost a big one at Detroit on Thursday Night Football, and here are the takeaways.
The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Detroit Lions 44-30 in Week 14, and it was a rough one.
The offense missed opportunities, and the defense was at its worst since the bye week. Let’s dive into the takeaways from “Thursday Night Football.”
Cowboys’ defense reminds us how flawed it is
The Cowboys’ defense had looked like a totally different unit since the team acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The problem? Williams doesn’t play linebacker, cornerback, or safety. And all of those spots were a clear issue for Dallas. DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Markquese Bell, and others struggled against the Lions’ speed.
The speedy Jameson Williams piled up seven catches for 96 yards, and despite not scoring a touchdown, he had a massive impact in the game. Meanwhile, Jahmyr Gibbs took Bland’s ankles and even stiff-armed him another time on his way to 106 yards from scrimmage.
The defense still lacks talent. And it showed against the better offense it has faced since the bye.
The Cowboys’ silent killer: Field position
The defense was bad. No way around it. But right after the Cowboys cut the deficit to three points in the fourth quarter, the Lions took over at their own 41-yard line. That was the case all game long. At that point, Detroit’s average starting field position was the 43-yard line.
Next drive: The Lions took over at the 49-yard line while attempting to kill the clock.
In other words, Brandon Aubrey is a legend already, but the Cowboys’ special teams need to do much better in kickoff coverage. You can’t make offense’s lives easy with your defense.
Brandon Aubrey is still Brandon Aubrey
Yeah, I don’t know what else to say other than: 57, 42, 55, 63, 29.
He kept the Cowboys in the game. They didn’t want to be kept in it.
George Pickens had a season low at the worst moment
George Pickens finished the day with one drop (though it was also a very good defensive play), one facemask penalty, and only 37 receiving yards. To make matters worse, at a couple of points in the game, he ran routes with no intensity. Another time, he didn’t extend his hands in what appeared to be a catchable pass. Fans and media members alike criticized his effort, and I can understand why.
Pickens has been one of the most consistent players on the Cowboys this season, but Thursday was an underwhelming showing, and he knows he needs to be better.
Playoffs are a distant dream
A win would have put the Cowboys’ playoff probability at over 35%. Instead, they’re at 7%. And though it’s not zero, it feels pretty much like it. Dallas’ flaws showed up big time throughout Thursday’s game. And even if it’s not mathematically done, it feels like it’s a matter of time.
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Not ideal.
