The Dallas Cowboys were shocked by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, leading to Dallas’ first loss of the season as both sides of the ball struggled with slow starts.
Team owner Jerry Jones joined Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan from this week’s NFL meetings for his weekly radio appearance on Wednesday morning and gave his thoughts on Sunday’s loss.
“It’s probably very easy to identify where we could’ve changed that game had we executed in any phase,” Jones said. “… Frankly, my opinion is that, across the board, we just let the opportunity to stay out on the field [and] to lose the game hang around all day, and we got in a jam there at the end.”
Jones was also asked about how the changes on the offensive side of the ball have looked so far, and while he wouldn’t say he was “happy” with the offense’s performance, he agrees with the philosophy behind the approach.
“I want to see more, but let me be clear. I think what we’re trying to do is really doable,” he remarked. “We can do it. I’m certain we have the personnel to execute on it. … I like the tempo. I like the quarterback’s understanding of where we’re trying to go with this. … I give it a thumbs up. Let’s go.”
That quarterback, Dak Prescott, has been under a microscope since last season ended after putting up the worst numbers of his career and leading the NFL in interceptions thrown. Because of those struggles, the Cowboys made a highly-publicized change at offensive coordinator and have tried to simplify their approach by keeping Prescott in situations that benefit the offense.
“You have limited things that he used to be doing,” Jones explained. “But on the other hand, we have made what we are doing more doable for him. I think that offsets. … He has answers, and he has [the] capability to make those kinds of plays when it’s on the line in the future.”
Prescott threw his first interception of the season late in the game while trying to make one of the plays Jones alluded to as the Dallas offense continued its struggles near the goal line. With that, Arizona sealed its victory.
“It was very winnable at the end as well,” Jones added. “You can take any phase of it and look for things that have to be improved. I think the thing that we need to zero in on is when we get the ball down in there close, we’ve got to get touchdowns, and that’s probably across the board of all three ball games.”
The Cowboys’ defense was spectacular through its first two games, but the offense has yet to pull its weight. To Jones’ point, Dallas is scoring touchdowns on 30% less of its red zone possessions than last season, and its wide receivers have yet to catch a pass where the offense gets there.
“Unquestionably, we have the players,” Jones remarked. “Can we execute better? Can we do that? You can imagine what a focus point it is for our team, and certainly after last weekend. Do we have the ability to really correct [it] and have a higher percentage of touchdowns in the red zone? Absolutely. Yes, we do. … Now we’ve got to get it done.”
The Dallas Cowboys (2-1) will try to get it done in the red zone when they host the New England Patriots (1-2) at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday.
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EXTRA POINTS
— Offensive lineman Chuma Edoga joined Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz, and Tyron Smith on the Cowboys’ injury report. Dallas also signed offensive lineman Billy Price to its practice squad to help account for the recent injuries.
— On Sunday, Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey became the first NFL kicker in the modern era to attempt at least 10 field goals through the first three games of his career and make all of them.
— Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is expected to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Young missed last weekend’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks with an injury as ex-Cowboy and TCU alum Andy Dalton started in his place.
— Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo remains in concussion protocol.
— Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd will miss the team’s two games in London after undergoing surgery on his thumb.
— The NFL announced the Players of the Week for Week 3.