Cowboys News: Prescott prickly, Aubrey makes history, playing surface trickery?
What a dismal day in the desert. Cowboys Nation was plenty frustrated by what they saw transpire Sunday at State Farm Stadium, and they spent Monday searching for an explanation. There’s plenty of blame to go around for the team’s first loss of the 2023 season; pretty much everything went wrong. In this edition of News and Notes, we’ll examine how injuries, penalties, coaching, bad run defense, poor playcalling, and even the Cardinals’ natural grass field may have all played a part in a forgettable Week 3 showing.
We’ll also go inside the box score to see who shone and who stunk, we’ll look at what the defeat did to the Cowboys’ place in the power rankings, we’ll preview Ezekiel Elliott’s return to AT&T Stadium, and we’ll acknowledge one Cowboys player who actually etched his name in the record books on Sunday.
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Cowboys to regroup after 'humbling' loss to Cardinals :: ESPN
A testy Dak Prescott shot back against what he felt were premature expectations for the Cowboys after two convincing wins to start 2023. “Y’all put us on top of the world. We knew who we are. And in that same sense, I’m sure the media got what they wanted. For us, there hasn’t been but one undefeated team in this league ever. Ever. So, yeah, it sucks. It’s humbling, but to say it’s a wake-up call, we knew we had a lot of adversity — we just didn’t get it done.” The offense managed to put up 416 yards and gain 26 first downs, but struggled mightily inside the 20.
Postgame analysis of Week 3's loss :: Cowboys Wire
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Examining the Cowboys’ offensive woes — red zone issues, play calling and more :: The Athletic
“When you’re getting stops on defense, when you’re scoring touchdowns,” head coach Mike McCarthy explained, “there’s a flow to it.” The Cowboys had no flow whatsoever in Glendale, with several players commenting afterward on the lack of red-zone success. “We’ve got to go score touchdowns,” said CeeDee Lamb. “We ain’t going to get nowhere with three points.” McCarthy admitted he needs to call better plays in close, but Prescott is also not in sync with his receivers; none has caught a touchdown in 16 straight quarters now.
What did Jimmy Johnson say after Cowboys lost to Cardinals? Brace yourself for this one :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Hall of Fame coach didn’t hold back regarding his former team’s performance. “Dallas was asleep,” Johnson said during postgame coverage. “They weren’t ready to play the game.” Johnson called the offensive line’s numerous injuries a major problem that will derail the season if it doesn’t get fixed.
Dan Quinn: Run defense was a 'tale of two halves' :: The Mothership
Of the 222 rushing yards given up by the Cowboys on Sunday, 181 came before intermission. That’s the most for the franchise in a first half since 1991. “We were not up to the standard that we had set for ourselves,” Quinn said. “When you’re going through a difficult performance, you do grow from them. I would love to say you learn from 40-0, but that ain’t the truth. You gotta have some adversity and come out the other end to show what you’re capable of. These guys are a warrior crew and they will respond like crazy.”
Cowboys fans unload on Mike McCarthy for momentum-killing decision vs Cardinals :: The Landry Hat
That fourth-down try from the Arizona 4-yard-line did not go over well with the team’s fans. Most agreed that situation called for conservative coaching, not forcing the issue. The momentum had swung in Dallas’ favor after a negated punt return and a drive down the field. McCarthy likely tasted blood, but the rare great possession needed to end in points, not an incomplete pass and turnover on downs.
Cowboys heavily penalized in AZ: 'We gotta be better' :: The Mothership
A sloppy 13 penalties were called against Dallas, giving Arizona a total of 107 free yards. (The Cowboys had just 11 in Weeks 1 and 2 combined.) But it wasn’t just the penalties that were called; it was the ones that weren’t, too. Two no-calls in particular squashed the Cowboys’ chances at a comeback. “I appreciate you giving me an opportunity to speak on it, but I’m not going to,” McCarthy said.
Dallas Cowboys ‘slower’ on grass, reveals Jason Garrett :: SI.com
The coach-turned-analyst had an interesting theory for why his former team looked so flat and lethargic in Sunday’s stunning loss at State Farm Stadium. “I do think Dallas is a little slower on defense when they play on grass,” Garrett said. “When they’re at home on that fast track, it’s like they’ve got 14 guys on defense.” Devin McCourty added that Patriots coach Bill Belichick made a similar observation before a 2019 matchup with the Cowboys.
Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs trolls Micah Parsons after Arizona’s Week 3 win vs. Cowboys :: Dallas Morning News
The Cardinals quarterback took to TikTok to respond to Parsons claiming his picture was on the Cowboys linebacker’s dartboard prior to Sunday’s game. Dobbs’s video showed him dodging a barrage of pretend darts and then walking off screen with a smile.
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey made NFL history with his performance in Arizona :: Blogging the Boys
At least the kicker had a decent day. With his three three-pointers on Sunday, Aubrey became the first kicker in the Super Bowl era to attempt at least 10 field goals and make all of them through the first three games of his NFL career.
NFL power rankings Week 4: Cowboys stumble, Jags plummet, new No. 1 takes over :: Cowboys Wire
Yes, hanging a 70-burger on anyone will catapult you right to the top spot in the power rankings. That’s where Miami sits after their historic day on Sunday. The Cowboys’ apathetic performance in Arizona has them falling from No. 1 to No. 8.
Jones: 'Possible" to see entire Cowboys OL vs. Pats :: The Mothership
Stephen Jones said Monday that Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz, and Tyron Smith all might return to the lineup in Week 4 versus New England… but he wouldn’t make any promises. “You’ve just got to take each guy week to week,” Jones explained. “Is it possible? Yes. Do we know for sure? Absolutely not.”
Ezekiel Elliott “disappointed” to leave Cowboys, ready to play them this week :: ProFootballTalk
The franchise’s third-leading all-time rusher comes back to AT&T Stadium on Sunday wearing Patriots red, white, and blue. “Everything happens for a reason,” Elliott said. “God has his plan for us. I’m excited for this next chapter in my life. I’m excited to be a Patriot. I’m excited to go chase a Super Bowl here.” Elliott totaled 80 yards on 16 carries in New England’s Week 3 win.
