By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
The Dallas Cowboys continue to have an up-and-down season after a 27–17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night at AT&T Stadium.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense failed to find a consistent rhythm the entire game and played well below their standard.
“Disappointing,” said Prescott. “It’s very frustrating — knowing that you’re better than that, and going out there, not putting on a performance that’s close to your standard, or even the expectations, or what you thought you could do and expected to do.
The Arizona defensive line was disruptive all night—recording five sacks and pressuring Prescott 19 times on 39 drop backs (48% pressure rate). The Cardinals also forced three turnovers to put their offense in favorable positions.
On the other hand, the Cowboys defense struggled to stop the connection between quarterback Jacoby Brissett and former Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Brissett finished the game with 261 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Harrison Jr. tallied seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.
“Every game is a must-win going forward,” said Prescott. “I know you say that, and you feel that in the NFL, and you should feel that, but when you put yourself in a position or behind like we have, it’s even more so that case. We’re fortunate right now that, in the league, there’s a lot of teams with multiple losses. … You can catch a hot streak and be right there in the mix.
“That’s great, but you gotta get a streak going. And if you don’t get a streak going, you’re just putting yourself more and more behind the eight ball. It’s now or never.”
Dallas now has a record of 3-5-1 on the season and made significant moves before Tuesday’s 1 p.m. (PT) trade deadline in an effort to salvage the season.
The Cowboys swung deals with both the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets for linebacker Logan Wilson and All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
“It’s exciting,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said of Dallas’ trades. “Kudos to Jerry and Stephen, Will, being aggressive but then smart. A couple of moves we made, you’re getting guys not just for this year but beyond, which I think is great… I think it’s two terrific players, but also terrific young men.”
Wilson, 29, was selected in the third-round of the 2020 draft by the Bengals and will serve as an upgrade to a depleted Dallas linebacker room. He has 76 career games and 65 NFL starts—producing 541 combined tackles and 11 interceptions.
Ascending linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is anticipated to make his return against the Las Vegas Raiders and figures to bring his dynamic playmaking back to the Dallas defense.
A pairing of Wilson and Overshown could very quickly turn a weakness into a strength.
Williams, 27, is a perennial Pro Bowl player and will reunite with his former defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who is now in the same role with the Cowboys.
With Williams joining Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas will have a formidable rotation along the interior defensive line.
“I think it’s just going to add more playmaking ability to the d-line,” Odighizuwa said. “Another bullet in the gun. Another bullet in the gun, another very strong and talented guy, so I think we’ll be able to use him…”
“I’m excited, another guy that’s going to help us win.”
As the Cowboys prepare for their bye week, both Wilson and Williams will have time to get up to speed on the playbook and showcase their skills against the Raiders on Nov. 17.
