Dallas Cowboys: The five worst losses of the 2017 season
By Tyrone Starr
#1 – October 8, 2017: Aaron Rodgers kills Cowboys hopes one more time.
Let’s forget for a moment that Dallas had a 21-6 lead with 2:00 to go before halftime as well as a six point lead heading to the fourth quarter.
That alone would be a tough pill to swallow but it certainly wasn’t the most egregious failure of this contest.
Down four with 9:49 left, the Cowboys took their time matriculating the ball down the field. In fact, they made it to the red zone with just two minutes left. At this point, Green Bay had just one timeout and a defense on the field for 33 minutes of the game.
On the first play out of the two minute warning, the Cowboys gained eight yards. It’s now 2nd and 2 from the 11 yard line. The Packers are not calling the final timeout. What would you do?
Would you throw the ball? Almost anyone in their right mind would absolutely not do so, yet here is Dallas, putting the ball in the air. Incomplete. Not only did this stop the clock, the ball was snapped with eleven seconds left on the play clock.
On the very next play, Prescott ran for a touchdown, giving the Dallas a three point lead, but leaving Green Bay and Aaron freaking Rodgers 1:13 and timeout. Too. Much. Time.
Here’s the thing, if I know this… and you know this… how does the coaching staff not know this? Why, with there being time to collect thoughts at the two-minute warning, was it not explicitly clear to leave no time on the clock? Why would EVER consider a throw when you already ran nine times for 44 yards on the drive alone?
Let’s say you agree with Dak scoring instead of sliding at the two yard line after obtaining the first down. Guess how much time Dallas was left once the Packers scored the go ahead touchdown.
Eleven seconds.
As in, the same time Dallas snapped the ball on that 2nd and 2. The early snap and the incomplete pass put at least fifteen seconds extra on the clock for Rodgers. He needed every one of them.
And for that, the 35-31 loss to Green Bay wins the award for the worst loss of 2017.
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Here’s hoping there will not be five losses to discuss in 2018. Unfortunately, with Jason Garrett confirmed to return by the owner and likely the coordinators, too, I’m not holding my breath.