Dear Dallas Cowboys: Please make it stop

Dec 13, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) walk off the field after losing to the Green Bay Packers 28-7 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Exhibit A

With the score tied at zero, the Dallas Cowboys have 3rd and Goal to go from the Green Bay three-yard line.  Instead of coming away with points, Cassel throws a ball too high for receiver Dez Bryant which is intercepted in the end zone, ending the opportunity to score first.

Let’s start with the formation. With the Cowboys using a four wide receiver set, along with tight end Jason Witten, you can tell that Green Bay is playing man coverage. The Packers appear to be sending a blitz off the edges, which they do indeed. Cassel immediately locks in to the left hand side of the field, never surveys any other options and neglects a wide-open Witten in the middle of the field as well as a lesser, but still open receiver in Lucky Whitehead. To the left, Dallas runs a “rub” route as Bryant runs and in, setting a “pick” for receiver Cole Beasley as he runs and out pattern. Cornerback Casey Hayward falls for the play, leaving Beasley open however Cassel elects to go to Bryant instead. Not only does he shun two much easier options, he also makes a bad throw, as Bryant has to contend with both tight coverage and a high ball, which results in an interception.

Exhibit B

Trailing 14-0, with 2:03 to go before halftime and facing 3rd and 7 from their own 23-yard line, Cassel completes a pass short of the first down, giving the ball back to Green Bay.

Once again, the Packers choose to go with man coverage as the Cowboys deploy three receivers, along with Witten and running back Darren McFadden in an attempt to move the chains.

Once again, Cassel immediately locks on to the left hand side of the field, neglecting McFadden on the right who has ran a slant route and is wide open for the conversion.

Once again, Cassel chooses someone else rather than the wide open Beasley, who ran his route beyond the sticks, in favor of Witten, who ran his route a yard short of the first down marker.

Packers Safety Micah Hyde makes the tackle, ends the drive and Dallas punts instead of having the opportunity to score before halftime.

Next: Cowboys Make It Stop: Exhibits C & D