The Dallas Cowboys lost their second straight game in embarrassing fashion. After last week's debacle against the winless Buccaneers, the team looked lifeless on the road in Green Bay. Once again, the offense looked just as bad as the defense in a 23-13 loss at Lambeau Field.
At 2-4, the blame starts at the top with the owner and general manager as well as the coaching staff. However, certain players deserve to share a hefty amount of the blame for putting up another humiliating primetime performance. These players are to blame the most for Sunday night's loss.
These Cowboys did not bring their Sunday best vs. the Packers
1. Dak Prescott - QB
For the second game in a row, Dak Prescott played like a quarterback who is not even close to being worth $60 million. Facing a Packers defense without Micah Parsons, Edgerrin Cooper, and Javon Hargrave, most expected this offense to put up its average of around 30 points.
The so-called "GOTI" could only manage 13 all night. Prescott was a big reason why the offense fell far below their expectations again. For the second game in a row, he struggled mightily against a blitzing team.
To Green Bay's credit, it came prepared with a good game plan, but an experienced quarterback like Prescott has to do a better job of recognizing pressure and adjusting accordingly. Whether that means changing the protection, bringing in an extra blocker, or getting the ball out quicker, Dallas needed answers for a blitz that gave the offense problems all night.
Prescott also missed opportunities when the defense actually gave him a chance. Dallas came up with stops early and even forced an interception, but the offense failed to capitalize. Prescott then gave one right back to Evan Williams, setting the tone for another frustrating night in primetime.
Prescott's second interception came after CeeDee Lamb slipped, so that one can't be pinned entirely on the quarterback. Still, multiple-interception games are something Prescott has to avoid, especially when the Cowboys are already struggling to overcome mistakes elsewhere.
For the second week in a row, Prescott was outplayed by the opposing quarterback. Jordan Love was sharper and handled pressure much better, and while Prescott was hardly the only reason Dallas lost, he deserves the most blame of any player.
2. Terence Steele - RT
If the Cowboys make one change on the offensive line during the rest of this season, it's benching Terence Steele, who once again looked overmatched at right tackle. Most of the pressure came from the right side, and there were multiple occasions when Steele looked unsure of his assignment and failed to identify the correct rusher.
Steele has continued to look like the weakest link on this offensive line. After another performance like this and the offense struggling to score even 20 points, changes need to start coming. That should mean one at the right tackle spot.
Brian Schottenheimer said during this press conference earlier this week that some changes would be made for the Packers game. Some were noticeable in this game, like Brevyn Spann-Ford getting more playing time and rookie Malachi Lawrence starting opposite Rashan Gary. The next lineup change needs to be Broderick Jones or even Ajani Cornelius at right tackle over Steele.
The Packers got home to Prescott with seven quarterback hits and one sack. This offense cannot do anything productive if the offense line cannot figure out how to adjust to teams that blitz. Steele deserves a good amount of blame for this loss.
3. Caleb Downs - S
Caleb Downs still has all the makings of a cornerstone for this defense, but his performance against the Packers is one he'd surely like to forget. Tasked with covering Matthew Golden out of the nickel, Downs struggled to stay with the speedy receiver throughout the night.
Golden finished with over 100 receiving yards and repeatedly moved the chains when matched up with Downs, including several key third-down conversions. Getting off the field on third down has been a persistent problem for this defense, and Downs was at the center of too many drive-extending plays on Sunday night.
There needs to be a serious discussion about playing Downs elsewhere. He came from Ohio State as a safety used to defending the back end. Playing the nickel corner role does not look like where Downs needs to play. If Christian Parker wants him to succeed, he needs to get serious about changing this position.
Downs will need to be better in coverage. He led the team with 12 tackles, but a few came after allowing more yardage than Dallas would have liked. This was the worst game of Downs' career thus far. He'll rebound, but the Cowboys needed better from their first-round pick.
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