4 Winners and 4 Losers From Dallas Cowboys Ugly Loss vs Cardinals: The same problems make a comeback in ugly showing
The Dallas Cowboys fail to get back to .500, and even if they had, it would have been very ugly.
The Dallas Cowboys fell to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime in a 33-30 matchup that should have been over in the first half but wasn’t due to the team’s mistakes. Instead, the Cowboys blew a 17-3 halftime lead.
As every week, it’s time for our immediate winners and losers.
Winner: QB Dak Prescott
The totals weren’t impressive for Prescott. But he was more efficient than people will give him credit for after the loss. He shares the blame for the loss, but he was one of the bright spots of the game. His best play might have been as a runner though. In the low red zone and facing third down, Prescott took off for a five-yard rushing touchdown as his receivers were all covered up.
Winner: LB Shemar James
Not only did he got an interception to set up the Dallas Cowboys’ first touchdown of the game, but James looked much more comfortable at middle linebacker than last week. Run fits were an issue for him against the Philadelphia Eagles but this week he did a much better job at it. The film will reveal more about his performance, but he makes the list for now.
Winner: LB DeMarvion Overshown
Let’s keep it with the linebackers and shout out Overshown, who forced a turnover himself. He had a pick versus the Eagles and he added to it with a forced fumble against the Cardinals that kept Arizona from scoring toward the end of the first half. It was one of the best hits I’ve seen all season.
Winner: S Caleb Downs
Unfortunately, Downs exited the game early as part of the concussion protocol. But he was showing up consistently as a run defender in the first half of the game. That includes a big-time goalline stop that kept the Cardinals from putting six on the board.
Winner: DT Quinnen Williams
Williams started off overtime with a big sack, his second of the game. He made a few stops in the run game, as well. The Cowboys aren’t generating much quarterback pressure these days, but Williams has been getting after quarterbacks lately.
Loser: RB Javonte Williams
One week after going for 155 yards, Williams struggled getting going versus the Cardinals. He averaged 2.3 yards per attempt and had a fumble in a goal-to-go situation that was fortunately saved by practice squad elevation James Mitchell. It just wasn’t his day as the Cowboys could not run it well.
Loser: HC Brian Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer called himself an elite play caller leading up to Week 7. Yet once again he left us with many questionable decisions to pick apart. A third-and-six screen pass, a third-and-eight draw while backed up, a non-QB sneak play on fourth and short, and much more.
Additionally, George Pickens continues to be on and off—a sign of the Cowboys’ struggles to get him involved consistently. It just seems like more often than not, he’s holding back the Cowboys offense. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter and overtime, he’s got to do a much better job.
Loser: EDGE Rashan Gary
Man, we can’t get a single week without a huge mistake from the Cowboys’ top edge rusher (snap count wise). Toward the end of the fourth quarter, his roughing the passer foul moved the chains for the Cardinals, who went on to cut down the Cowboys’ lead to 27-24 to keep Arizona in the game. He needs to be better.
Loser: CB DaRon Bland
Bland had some moments in the game, but he ultimately gave up 70 yards in 3 catches to Michael Wilson. It could have been much more had it not been for misfires and drops from the Cardinals. Offenses are clearly targeting him.
