Man, that 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, during the NFL Rio Game, still absolutely stings for the Cowboys, especially considering how it all went down in the final moments. With just ten seconds ticking away on the clock in the fourth quarter, trailing by a nail-biting three points at 31-28, quarterback Dak Prescott fired a ball past what undeniably appeared to be an open George Pickens near the pylon on a crucial third-and-goal. The ball sailed away, the play dissolved, and the game, along with any chance at a late comeback, ultimately slipped through their fingers.
Dak’s Raw Honesty After The Whistle
You have to feel for Dak after this one. He faced the media after the gut-wrenching loss and straight up admitted he was throwing the ball away. But he didn’t stop there. Prescott went on to tell reporters that he knew he should have been more patient, that he absolutely should have waited a beat longer to get the ball to George Pickens. It sounds exactly like he saw what every fan watching thought they saw: Pickens was undeniably open. When pressed about the play, Prescott couldn’t hide the raw emotion. He simply stated, “Definitely not right now, maybe in a week. Still fresh, just upset.” That’s the kind of honesty that hits hard, revealing just how much that missed opportunity is tearing him up inside.
The Coaching Call Versus The Missed TD
Here’s where it gets really interesting, and frankly, a little perplexing for fans. Despite Prescott’s clear disappointment in himself, head coach Brian Schottenheimer offered a different angle. He told reporters he actually taught his signal-caller to throw the ball away in that exact, high-pressure situation. So, was Dak following the playbook, or was he second-guessing himself? When Prescott was asked directly about Schottenheimer’s direction, he chose not to dive into those intricate details. Instead, he stuck firmly to his own conviction: Pickens was indeed open, and he, Dak, should have sat on his throw to go for the touchdown. It leaves you wondering what kind of internal battle was raging on that critical third-and-goal. For all of Prescott’s personal frustration, his stat line for the game was solid, throwing for 276 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-40 passing. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough. The Ravens capitalized, setting up Tyler Loop for a monumental game-winning 56-yard field goal with just one second left on the clock, officially sinking the Cowboys to a tough 1-2 record. That’s a brutal way to fall.
Now, the Cowboys have absolutely no time to wallow. They’re heading into Week 4 with a chance to redeem themselves against the Houston Texans, who are currently sitting at 0-3. This is more than just another game; it’s a crucial opportunity to bounce back, to show everyone that this frustrating 1-2 start isn’t going to define their season. Every single snap matters right now, especially when you’re trying to turn things around after a heartbreaking, last-second loss like the one they just suffered.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply