Instant Analysis: Game balls, key stats from Cowboys 38-31 loss to Seattle

The Dallas Cowboys fell to 1-2 on the season, losing on the road in Seattle to Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett and the rest of the Seahawks. Again finding themselves in a big hole, the Cowboys were unable to come back and steal a win for the second week in a row, despite their best efforts.

It was over when . . .

. . . Prescott avoided a sack and threw to the end zone, only to be picked off by Ryan Neal with 0:16 left in the game. The interception was his second of the game, and dashed the Cowboys’ comeback hopes.

Game balls:

Game Ball No. 1: WR Cedrick Wilson

The third-year player out of Boise State had a huge game, more than tripling his career yardage total. Wilson hauled in five passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns, the first two of his career. While Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb might be the big names of the wide receiver group, Wilson showed he can also do damage when given the chance.

Game Ball No. 2: DE Aldon Smith

Smith continued his redemption tour, taking down Russell Wilson three times, giving him four total sacks on the season. The Cowboys pass rush was able to generate consistent pressure all game, but Smith seemed to be the only one who was able to get consistently home.

Game Ball No. 3: CB Trevon Diggs

The rookie CB made his first true impact play, forcing a huge fumble on Seattle WR D.K. Metcalf at the end of the first quarter. Diggs was burned to begin the play, but recovered to take advantage of the sloppy Metcalf, punching the ball out from behind before he crossed the goal line. The play should’ve been a touchdown for the Seahawks, but instead resulted in a touchback for Dallas. Diggs also led the team with nine total tackles, and continued to battle against Metcalf throughout the contest. recording one pass defense.

Key Stat: 292

Dak Prescott went 292 pass attempts without an interception (a franchise record), before throwing one to Seattle CB Shaquill Griffin near the end of the first half. The Cowboys were in hurry up-mode, trying to take the lead before halftime, when Griffin undercut Amari Cooper’s route and picked off the ball. The play especially hurt, considering Seattle took over at the Cowboys’ 34 and scored a touchdown to enter halftime with a 23-15 lead.

Quick Hits:

• Prescott set a new career high in pass attempts, throwing the ball 57 times. He completed 37 of his attempts, good for 472 yards (also a career high), three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also lost one fumble on the team’s first drive of the second half, but he still went toe-to-toe with Wilson, coming back from another 15-point deficit to briefly take the fourth-quarter lead. Unfortunately this week, he couldn’t lead his team to victory.

• Dallas again seemed like juggernauts and fools within the same game. They had an ugly three-play stretch where DB Xavier Woods was burned for 43-yard Tyler Lockett touchdown (who had three on the day), Tony Pollard muffed the ensuing kickoff (who’s already attempted several questionable kickoff returns on the year), and then Ezekiel Elliott was tackled in his own end zone for a Seattle safety. They managed to overcome these sloppy mistakes, but can’t continually shoot themselves in the foot if they have hopes of hanging with the best teams in the league.

• It was another mixed bag for the Cowboys coaching staff, who made several questionable play calls and decisions throughout the game. The second half got off to an ugly start for Dallas, who’s first two drives went fumble and punt, seemingly trying to force the ball to Elliott (who had a rare quiet game; Elliott’s 34 rushing yards were the third-fewest of his career). Special teams were also a mess, with Greg Zuerlein doinking one extra point off the upright, and having another one blocked.

• After going for two down 15 in the fourth quarter in Week 2, Mike McCarthy somewhat confusingly opted for the extra point when faced with a similar situation with just under six minutes left in the third quarter. The Cowboys were trailing 30-15 before Wilson’s second receiving TD of the game, but this time were seemingly content with being down 8 with a full quarter-plus remaining. The Cowboys later went for two down eight on their next drive, but Noah Brown was stopped inches short of converting.

• Seattle may not have had the 12th Man for this game, but they did have the referees, who called three drive-extending penalties on the way towards a Seahawks touchdown in the second quarter. There was also a bizarre illegal contact call that negated an illegal touching penalty to set Seattle up at the Cowboys one, which led to another Seattle TD just before halftime.

• To the current coaching staff’s credit, they seem more willing to adjust in-game than the previous regime. The Cowboys opted for some drastic re-shuffling along their offensive line mid-game, benching UDFA RT Terence Steele in the second half. Zack Martin kicked out to right tackle, with Joe Looney moving to right guard and rookie Tyler Biadasz playing center. The switch seemed to give Prescott more time in the pocket, who was able to find his receivers downfield for big gains the second half.

Dallas looks to even their record in Week 4, taking on 2-1 Browns at home.

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