Jets down Cowboys
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’el 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’s 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’ 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’t 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’s fouryard 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 “we’re not a top team right now,” a significant departure from the sentiments that prevailed following the Cowboys’ 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’s 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’t exactly been doing well, either.
“We’re putting ourselves behind,” Prescott contended in the aftermath. “We’re putting our defense in a tough spot. We’re not playing complementary football. It’s [as] simple as that. We’ve got to start faster.” And he’s right. The Cowboys have to play with a greater sense of urgency. But he’s also wrong, because it’s as “simple” as he claims. Not when they’ve 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, “you get in your own way.”
Needless to say, Jones was not happy, noting in the aftermath that “we’re not a top team right now,” a significant departure from the sentiments that prevailed following the Cowboys’ 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’s 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’t exactly been doing well, either.
ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG has been writing since introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.