The Cowboys were supposed to win — okay, not just win, but win big. Even as they were coming off a second straight setback, they faced the seemingly hapless Jets. Never mind that they trekked to MetLife Stadium missing tackles Tyron Smith and La鈥檈l Collins and wide receiver Randall Cobb due to a variety of injuries. Their opponents were winless through the first five weeks of the National Football League鈥檚 2019 season for a reason, and far be it for them to stop the dubious streak. Not with oddsmakers favoring them. And not on franchise owner Jerry Jones鈥 77th birthday.
Yet, some three and a half hours later, the Cowboys did exactly that. They found themselves on the wrong end of a 24-22 final score that represented their third straight loss. And it wasn鈥檛 simply the outcome that they rued. It was also how they appeared to help the Jets dig the hole they were in very early on. And to argue that they were utterly atrocious to start would be an understatement. Consider what they were able to come up with on offense in their first six series: punt, field goal, punt, downs, punt, field goal. By the time they retreated to the locker room at the half, they stared at a significant 15-point deficit.
It bears noting that the Cowboys would have been down by more had sophomore placekicker Brett Maher not connected on a 62-yarder to end the second quarter. That said, it was enough for them to build a rally on. And with the defense limiting the Jets to a field goal the rest of the way, they came close. Quarterback Dak Prescott鈥檚 four-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds left set up a two-point try, but his pass under pressure from safety Jamal Adams lacked the power to reach tight end Jason Witten foe what would have been the tying score.
Needless to say, Jones was not happy, noting in the aftermath that 鈥渨e鈥檙e not a top team right now,鈥 a significant departure from the sentiments that prevailed following the Cowboys鈥 3-0 start to their campaign. Still, he appears inclined to stick to his previously stated position against a midseason coaching change. For one thing, he鈥檚 not the type to do so; since assuming control of the franchise in 1989, only once has he been spurred to rock the boat while at sea. No doubt, the lack of viable alternatives to coach Jason Garrett is a factor; coordinators Kris Richard, Kellen Moore, and Rod Marinelli haven鈥檛 exactly been doing well, either.
鈥淲e鈥檙e putting ourselves behind,鈥 Prescott contended in the aftermath. 鈥淲e鈥檙e putting our defense in a tough spot. We鈥檙e not playing complementary football. It鈥檚 [as] simple as that. We鈥檝e got to start faster.鈥 And he鈥檚 right. The Cowboys have to play with a greater sense of urgency. But he鈥檚 also wrong, because it鈥檚 as 鈥渟imple鈥 as he claims. Not when they鈥檝e bowed to opponents with a combined 3-14 slate. Not when the decision-making is as spotty off the field as on. And not when, as he himself pointed out, 鈥測ou get in your own way.鈥
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
