The Dallas Cowboys left Sunday night with a 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers and fresh questions about an offense that failed to match the talent on its roster. Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, Dallas could not establish a dependable rushing attack, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s unit again struggled to produce sustained drives.
Key takeaways
- Prescott completed 34 of 54 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against Green Bay.
- Green Bay used zone coverage on 76.8% of Prescott’s dropbacks and limited him to 4.3 yards per pass attempt.
- The Cowboys defense allowed only two field goals and five first downs after halftime.
- Dallas held the Packers to a 31.4% offensive success rate, yet still could not generate enough offense to win.
- Games against the 2-4 Eagles, 2-4 Cardinals and 2-4 Colts are next on Dallas’ schedule.
Dallas offense cannot capitalize on defensive turnaround
Dallas endured a difficult opening stretch defensively, but Christian Parker’s group recovered well enough to give the Cowboys a chance. Over the final two quarters, the Packers managed just five first downs while scoring only on two field goals. Green Bay’s 31.4% offensive success rate ranked as the seventh-lowest figure by a winning team this season.
That performance made the Cowboys’ offensive showing more frustrating. Prescott, surrounded by playmakers including CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson, never found consistent rhythm. He also avoided additional turnovers late in the game, when Green Bay had opportunities for more interceptions.
“The defense gave us enough to win,” Prescott said. “We did not do our part on offense. That is frustrating, but this is the NFL. We have to improve and get out of the hole we have put ourselves in over the last two games.”
Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon took away the downfield throws Dallas wanted, continuing a trend from his previous work against the Cowboys while with Arizona. Green Bay’s deep zone looks forced Prescott toward shorter completions, with both interceptions and the Packers’ only sack coming against zone coverage.
Prescott said Green Bay understood Dallas’ preference for vertical plays and committed to keeping safeties and defenders deep. The quarterback said the Cowboys must be more effective underneath, turn catches into yards after the catch and better exploit the looks defenses are presenting.
Schottenheimer searching for balance before critical stretch
Schottenheimer faces increased scrutiny after another uneven offensive performance, particularly because the Cowboys repeatedly failed to get their running game moving. Green Bay’s pressure created problems for Prescott, while Dallas continued to rely heavily on dropbacks without finding a reliable adjustment.
The coach acknowledged that the offense has become too predictable without production on the ground. He cited missed blocks, unsuccessful runs and poor calls as factors, while stressing that Dallas must become a more balanced unit.
“Without the running game, we become too one-sided,” Schottenheimer said. “A good offense needs balance. There are missed blocks, bad calls and missed runs involved, but we know what this group can do. Now we have to show it.”
Dallas entered the offseason believing its roster could support a serious postseason push. Instead, the Cowboys are trying to halt a two-game slide before the schedule offers matchups with Philadelphia, Arizona and Indianapolis, each at 2-4. Schottenheimer needs the offense to respond quickly, with pressure mounting around a team that has not played to its personnel strength.
