LANDOVER, Md. — The Dallas Cowboys entered Sunday with hopes of a second straight division title and the prospect to maneuver as much as one of many high two seeds within the NFC if issues went their means.
They left FedEx Subject with their worst lack of the yr, 26-6 to the Washington Commanders, throwing extra questions into the combination concerning what the season will be with a wild-card sport towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers subsequent Monday (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).
“We get to suck on that each one week,” proprietor and basic supervisor Jerry Jones stated. “If that does not make you wish to get able to go in about six, seven days, nothing else will. That was as thorough a butt-kicking as we have had this yr, and we’ll discover out if that’ll get you prepared or not. It ought to with what these guys are fabricated from.”
The Cowboys’ earlier worst lack of the season was a 19-3 defeat in Week 1 towards the Buccaneers. The Cowboys must do one thing they’ve by no means executed as a way to advance within the playoffs: beat Tom Brady.
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He owns a 7-0 report towards Dallas, together with wins the previous two seasons with Tampa Bay.
“There isn’t any doubt in my thoughts that as a group, not simply individually, however as a group we will come again and take this nightmare — no matter you wish to name it — and switch it right into a plus,” Jones stated. “I am thrilled that we have got the chance and I am thrilled that we did not need to look over there on the Philadelphia sport and the San Francisco sport and say, ‘Boy, did we mess up.'”
Had the Eagles and 49ers misplaced, the Cowboys would have clinched the No. 1 seed within the NFC with a win over Washington. However Dallas had a efficiency towards the Commanders that was downright terrible.
The particular groups contributed two turnovers within the first quarter on Dallas’ aspect of the sector. Even with Washington quarterback Sam Howell making the primary begin of his profession, the Dallas protection was common, permitting 151 yards dashing on 41 makes an attempt and arising with only one interception.
However the offense was significantly depressing.
Dak Prescott accomplished a career-worst 37.8% of his passes (14-of-37) and was intercepted for the fifteenth time in 12 video games. Prescott’s 15 interceptions tied Houston’s Davis Mills for essentially the most within the NFL, regardless of the very fact Prescott missed 5 video games following thumb surgical procedure. He additionally had an interception returned for a landing for the third time up to now 4 video games.
TeamOddsChiefs+330Bills+42049ers+450Eagles+550Bengals+800Cowboys+1300Chargers+2200Vikings+3000Buccaneers+3000Ravens+3500Jaguars+5000Seahawks+5000Dolphins+6000Giants+6000– Caesars Sportsbook
“For me, I imply, s—ty,” Prescott stated. “To not use the language, however easy as that.”
Coach Mike McCarthy was a little bit extra forgiving.
“There was much more occurring round actually,” McCarthy stated. “This isn’t about one man. You’ll be able to’t take a look at our offensive efficiency and blame all of it on one man. Loads to go round.”
The Cowboys managed simply 182 yards and transformed 4 of 18 third-down alternatives, each season lows. The second-worst showings got here within the loss to the Buccaneers to start out the season (244 yards, 3-of-15 on third down).
“No, this one will not linger,” Prescott stated. “Yeah, I imply, it is simple to return and take a look at our physique of labor and what we have executed, particularly with this not wherever in these previous 16 video games. So when you’ve a efficiency like this, no matter it was, regardless of the motive could also be, we have to individually take a look at it, take accountability, be taught from it after which perceive when the airplane touches down we’re on to Tampa.
“We all know who they’re. Performed them twice these final two years, and it will be an excellent one.”
