The Dallas Cowboys were several steps closer to the playoffs after losses by Atlanta and Detroit today. All they had to do was keep winning. They didn’t, giving away today’s game to the Seattle Seahawks and ending their season with a 21-12 loss.
The Seahawks only managed 136 yards of offense thanks to one of the best defensive games the Cowboys have had all year. But Dallas ruined that with three turnovers and questionable offensive decisions that kept the scoreboard in Seattle’s favor.
Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He overthrew Ezekiel Elliott in short yardage and the ball landed in the arms of Seattle’s Justin Coleman, who took it to the house. The other pick was thrown a little behind Dez Bryant but enough he could get his hands on it, only to tip it up and into the hands of linebacker K.J. Wright.
That was one of a few bad moments for Dez today. After being visibly upset about his lack of opportunities in the game, Dez caught his first pass and then fumbled it to set up Seattle’s first touchdown. He had another drop in the open field and was otherwise a non-factor in the game. Even Troy Aikman was questioning his status as a franchise receiver from the booth.
Ezekiel Elliott’s return became an afterthought in the season-ending collapse. He had 97 yards on 24 carries, but this game will be remembered for the touches he didn’t get. With Dallas at 1st-and-Goal on the Seattle 3-yard-line, Zeke never got a touch. A holding penalty followed by a sack set up one of Dan Bailey’s two missed field goals.
The Cowboys had every opportunity, both in this game in the NFC playoff picture, but threw away their season with perhaps the worst loss of Jason Garrett’s head coaching tenure.
Other Notes
- Dan Bailey had one of his worst games, missing two from 34 and 48-yards that would’ve pulled Dallas within one score in the 4th quarter. He also had two that barely made it in, one of which banked in off the post, in a 4-of-6 performance.
- Lost in the loss will be one of the best sacks you’ll ever see by DeMarcus Lawrence. He chased Russell Wilson down towards the sideline and then Wilson tried to do his signature turn to change direction. Lawrence showed incredible athleticism to close on Wilson and finish the play.
- Sean Lee was everywhere today, totaling 14 tackles and shutting down plays left and right. It was just another reminder that if he’d been on the field more this year, Dallas probably would’ve already clinched a playoff spot.
- The Cowboys will now head to Philadelphia next week with nothing to play for. If they win tomorrow, the Eagles will clinch the top seed in the NFC. Perhaps both teams will go with backups and we’ll get to see more of Cooper Rush, Noah Brown, and other bench darlings.
One misprint….Sean Lee “14 sacks” instead of tackles lol
Saw it and corrected before I got to the comments, but good looking out, Daryl. Thanks.
There’s always a change that can make a team better. For instance my hometeam college team the Georgia Bulldogs, Went from mark Reich to Kirby smart , an look what Georgia did in two years. Rams got the youngest coach in theNFL an fired Jeff fisher so don’t fucking tell,me Jerry Jones it can’t be done, because a new change is good.
Dak was 11-21 121 yards and 2 ints, smh Dez is trash smh this season
Couldn’t agree more. Saw BB mentioning earlier in the year that that it’s “unlikely” the Cowboys pay him what’s owed for 2018, either a cut or paycut coming, and I’d say “unlikely” is understating it. He’s as good now at tipping the ball up for INTs as he was 2 years ago at catching the ball. Pathetic decline and way too early. #SaltyAF
Who throws it on 3rd and 3 in the red zone with a great o-line and the best RB in the league averaging over 4 yds/carry?
The idiot we have as head coach
Jason didn’t call those plays Scott linehan did. So if anyone deserves to be fired it should be Scott. I truly think he should be fired
They did that last year against GB in the playoffs. Poor play calling in the red zone.
Garrett is on the head set and needs to make sure that they give the ball to Zeke when down there. It’s on the Head Coach, end of story!
Jerry obviously doesn’t believe so.
That’s typical Garret FYI when we had Murray and Julius jones they would be killing it on the run then first and goal we would line up in the shotgun and this is when Garret was calling the plays all these plays are what Garrett implanted it’s the same lane crap he been running for years minus the half back draw on 3rd and 18 thankfully .yea Garrett sux always has and as a coach always will he thinks he can run the same offense he ran as a third string qB in dallas but let’s face it Dak ain’t aikman dez ain’t Irvin and zeke isn’t emmitt we need a coach that can in game adjust and coach our players strengths not just clap his hands when they screw up
How bout fire the guy who hired him !!!
LMAO.
Garrett.
Dummy move of the year.
And Jerry approves of this guy.
As an Eagles fan that is heartwarming.
Dez is a disgrace just like the owner…both need to go!
So bad, in the worst possible spot for it, I doubt a single ‘Boys fan could believe what they were seeing.
This is the kind of game where you are stinking & getting blown out for it (4 times previously this year), but you are in the game because the opponent is also putrid.
Seattle’s game was worthy of a 21-point loss. Instead they win by 9. That’s how bad – and with the playoffs in the balance.
– Dak. Easily his worst NFL game by appearances. Yes he was getting beat up, but between those hits he was hesitant, and wild with his accuracy. It looks now (1st time I really thought so), like he is pressing and aiming the ball.
But it’s correctable and my remedies do not include bailing out on Dak. Not at all.
– Dez. Thanks for carrying the ball in the wrong arm against contact and not locking it down. I think I could have punched that ball out.
– J Lewis: maybe some promise but not ready to cover NFL receivers down after down. Too many reps on big downs IMO.
But the defense gave up 14 and were not the problem today. That 21-yard sack Lawrence had reminds of the classic Bob Lily sack on Bob Griese in SB VI (link below)
– Linehan / Garrett. Flip a coin for who was worse. You simply cannot put this weak of a product on the field at home in a game the playoffs are riding on. Win today and you just need the win in Philly next week and an Atlanta loss against a tough opponent. Instead we had to watch a game where the longer it went the more ways the Cowboys found to implode.
– Byron Bell. It’s established there are no competent backup OT’s on this team, so why is one of those guarding Dak’s blind side against the opponent’s best pass rusher? Better to move Collins over there while Smith is out, and let Bell or Green work RT. And with no reliable pocket with Bell at LT, why does Linehan keep acting like pocket plays are a good idea? If I have to play Bell at LT then I’m calling all kinds of rolls, sprint outs and bootlegs. If for no other reason than so that Dak is still walking after the game.
But yes this is Garrett’s worst career loss because of the stakes and how hapless his team was in that situation. I doubt Jones is of a mind to keep putting up with it while the window on a Lombardi closes in his lifetime.
So Jones will pledge support tomorrow, but I think it’s more likely Garrett is out after next week’s season closer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBm1m37-vuk
Dak Prescott and his Cinderella season in 2016 caught teams by surprise. His only great games are against the Redskins. Dallas is doomed to mediocrity in the coming years. Being back Romo!
Del Bryant can’t open a window. He sux….
Dez cried, Scott linehan wouldn’t run zeke when needed, just overall bad offense. Defense played well. Side note: Earl Thomas heard telling Jason Garrett “Come get me” after the game. Time to get ready for the Draft fellas. #LostSeason #GaveUp #DefenseOutplayedOffense
The continue adventure of mediocrity of being in the NFL Purgatory for the past 22 years. I went personally to the Broncos Cowboys game back in September, when they was taken to the wooshed. And after that game Owner Jerry Jones emphatically stated, that this Cowboys team, was NOT the one t get ju support got taken to the wooshed.
Once again led to the NFL Purgatory for mediocrity, for another year of dashed hope, that this is the year that 5he Cowboys finally make it over the hump, only to be let down by coaching staff, that fails to give the best running back in the NFL, the ball at the goal line when the football game is on the line.
Rather it’s the Cowboys offense or defense, lose a specific player of importance. The Cowboys always find an innovative way to lose. This current coaching staff has won 1 playoffs game during its tenure. But the owner plays and have high regards, as if it’s the second coming of Coach Landry, who won 2 SB.
I’ve notice on various websites a lot of diehard Cowboys fans are passed and talking boycott, for 22 years of having to continue to accept the product on the playing field, that had produced no super bowls.
Garrett, Linahan need to go just give the defense bodies dez needs to take a pay cut or he needs to go this team the last 5yrs get into the red zone they want to pass no team in football has run the ball better then the boys this,is pathetic play Garrett doesn’t make adjustments never should have hired him s coach
One of the worst loses in our recent history. To need all the help we needed to make it to the postseason, and to somewhat get it, and then theses bums turn in this effort… I’m at a loss for words. Linehan has been terrible this year. Dak isn’t as naturally talented as a Wentz he needs coordinator help! And Jerry says he feels good about his coach man GTFOH. F… Dez too. What this team needs is a culture change. And we want get that until Jerry retires. Button line.