FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott’s season is officially over, and the Dallas Cowboys faced another disappointing home defeat, this time lacking three of their five starting offensive linemen along with their star tight end. The hopes of a fourth straight playoff appearance have all but vanished for the team.
The situation resembles the bleak days of 1989, the year Jerry Jones took ownership of the franchise, when the Cowboys failed to secure a home victory. What began as a season filled with Super Bowl aspirations has now shifted towards the possibility of securing the top overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. As the Cowboys head into their fourth straight match against a team with a winning record, the reality of a five-game losing streak looms over Dallas (3-7), with their next game slated for Sunday against Washington (7-4).
“Certainly we have to be realistic about how we’re playing,” Jones remarked following the painful 34-10 loss to Houston on Monday night. “We need to face our quarterback situation realistically and plan for the future.” Cooper Rush continues to struggle, having lost both games in Prescott’s absence, as the quarterback recently underwent season-ending surgery on a torn hamstring.
Injuries compounded the Cowboys’ woes as rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton suffered a shoulder injury while trying to recover a fumble. This mishap allowed the Texans to score a touchdown. Further complicating matters, All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith both sustained ankle injuries during the same play, and tight end Jake Ferguson left the game with a concussion during the first quarter.
The Cowboys have been grappling with the challenges of youthful players stepping onto the field, and these challenges seem likely to escalate. “We’ve had considerable success over the last three years in the regular season, and it’s starting to weigh on us now,” said 2023 All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb. “We’ve got to figure out how to bond as a team, play cohesively, and finish the remainder of the season strong.”
Dallas has not won a home game yet this season, marking their worst start since the 1989 season when they lost all eight games at Texas Stadium and ended with a dismal record of 1-15. The Cowboys’ highest draft position since then came in 2016 when they chose fourth overall. Regardless of their final draft placement, this upcoming selection might pave the way for a new head coach, with Mike McCarthy’s contract set to expire.
“This is it; we have to go,” McCarthy stated emphatically. “We need to fight, scrape, and dig deep. Our younger players are gaining valuable experience, and we must do whatever it takes to secure some wins.”
On a positive note, getting the ball to speedy receiver KaVontae Turpin is proving beneficial. He showcased his capabilities with a 64-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career, and reached a remarkable speed of 22.4 mph, the fastest recorded in the NFL this season. As the league’s leader in kickoff returns, he averaged 28 yards on two returns against the Texans.
However, the Cowboys’ punt team continues to pose challenges for McCarthy’s hopes for a renewed contract. In their last three losses, the punt team has failed on fake plays, resulting in unfavorable positions for their already struggling defense. Punter Bryan Anger attempted two passes that led to turnovers, one of which resulted in an unsuccessful effort that left them short of the first down and further hindered their comeback attempts.
“McCarthy noted the poor decision-making, saying, ‘They outsmarted us there. That was a misjudgment on our part,’” indicating the frustrations within the organization regarding situational awareness.
Despite the hurdles, rookie Luke Schoonmaker stepped up with a career-high of 56 yards receiving on six catches after Ferguson’s early exit. As things progressively deteriorated, Guyton’s decision-making came into question after he mistakenly attempted to advance the ball instead of securing possession, leading to a critical fumble and a subsequent touchdown for the Texans.
In terms of player health, the conditions surrounding Ferguson, Martin, and Smith remain uncertain. Meanwhile, the potential return of cornerback DaRon Bland and rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland seems to be on the horizon. Bland, a standout from last season with an NFL record of five interception returns for touchdowns, has yet to play this year due to a foot injury, while Kneeland is recovering from a knee issue sustained in Week 5.
A key statistic to consider is the Cowboys’ average deficit of 28.1 points during their six-game home losing streak, a dismal record that’s shocking given their prior 16-game home-winning streak at AT&T Stadium. Dallas will now be challenged with a tight schedule, facing three games over the next 11 days. Following their match against the Commanders, the Cowboys prepare for their traditional Thanksgiving home game against the New York Giants.