The Dallas Cowboys’ latest stumble came under the lights at AT&T Stadium, where a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football sent them to 2-3 and deepened the frustration around Brian Schottenheimer’s team.
It ended with a familiar kind of pain for Dallas. With one minute left, Dak Prescott’s throw to Jake Ferguson was picked off by Alex Azalone, and that sealed Tampa Bay’s first win after an 0-4 start. The Cowboys also dropped to 1-2 at home.
Schottenheimer didn’t try to dress it up afterward. Speaking to the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins, the second-year Dallas coach said, “Disappointed, for sure.
I think I told the guys in there, it was missed opportunities. We didn't really play well in all three phases.
Certainly not good enough to win a game in the National Football League, and they know that,” said Schottenheimer.
That kind of loss has only turned up the heat around him. Fans let loose after the defeat, especially with the Buccaneers playing without Baker Mayfield, who is out with a thumb injury.
“Dallas will go into every game this year and will be out coached on both sides of the ball. Those are the facts,” said @DoudThomas.
“I respect Schotty owning it, but this team can't keep talking about missed opportunities every week. The talent is there.
At some point, the execution and coaching have to match it. Especially against a winless team at home,” added @PrimetimeAura.
“He says the same crap every presser,” stated @sbeam2011.
“Maybe he should stop trying to be liked, and start trying to motivate these guys to win! (Bill) Parcells, (Tom) Landry, (Bill) Belichick, (Mike) Ditka, (John) Madden, they weren't making buddies.
They were pushing men to be better than they could be. They were making champions.
Shotty is just making friends,” commented @renedetexan.
“Just when you think it can't sink any lower or get any more embarrassing for the Cowboys, they come through again,” wrote @DBCowboysFan67.
Dallas also played without Joey Porter Jr., who was a late scratch because of stomach issues.
The Cowboys now turn to Week 6, when they’ll try to respond against the Green Bay Packers.
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Stephen A. Smith added another layer to the scrutiny on ESPNs First Take, saying Brock Purdy has been better than Prescott because of his success in the biggest moments and Prescotts limited playoff track record. For the Cowboys, it is the kind of comparison that tends to linger when the results are coming up short, and every rough outcome only makes the discussion around Prescott harder to quiet. [Read more 🡒]