Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys’ closing-game errors against Baltimore cannot be explained away after the Ravens turned a late tie into a 34-31 victory.
The Cowboys owner delivered a blunt assessment of the final seconds Tuesday, saying the coaching staff had made clear mistakes in a sequence that gave Baltimore enough time to set up its decisive field goal. Dallas had rallied from behind and appeared headed for overtime before the Ravens struck on their final possession.
“There is no answer that should satisfy anyone,” Jones said. “The coaches are not satisfied with it, either. Mistakes were made in that stretch, without question. The important part now is evaluating how to avoid repeating them.”
Dallas left time for Baltimore’s final drive
Down 31-28, Dallas reached first-and-goal at Baltimore’s 2-yard line with 23 seconds remaining. Dak Prescott’s first attempt fell incomplete in the end zone.
A false start by tight end Luke Schoonmaker backed the Cowboys up, and Prescott then ran to the Baltimore 5. Head coach and offensive play-caller Brian Schottenheimer used Dallas’ final timeout with 14 seconds on the clock.
Schottenheimer told Prescott to either quickly hit George Pickens on an out route or throw the ball away, depending on the clock. With no timeout remaining, Prescott promptly threw the ball out of bounds. The snap consumed four seconds.
Brandon Aubrey then kicked the tying field goal, but seven seconds remained. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers for 27 yards, moving the ball to roughly the Ravens’ target range. Baltimore called timeout with one second left, and Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal to win it.
The Dallas defense allowed the completion in virtually the same area needed for Baltimore to attempt the game-winning kick.
Coaching staff faces scrutiny
The finish places Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker under an intensified spotlight. Schottenheimer is in his second year as a head coach after spending 25 seasons as an NFL assistant. Parker, 34, is in his first season running an NFL defense.
Jones nevertheless pointed to the Cowboys’ comeback as evidence that the club can build on the defeat.
“We will improve because of what happened in Baltimore at the end,” Jones said. “Winning would have changed the way people viewed the growth and excitement from a comeback like that. We did rally, and we did it impressively. It reminds us that this season is only beginning, and I believe it can be an exciting one.”
Cowboys remain in NFC East race
Dallas enters Sunday’s road game against the winless Houston Texans at 1-2. The Cowboys also received help in the NFC East when the two-time defending division champion Philadelphia Eagles lost to Chicago and quarterback Case Keenum on Monday night.
The Eagles and New York Giants share first place at 2-1. The Giants will be without quarterback Jaxson Dart for the remainder of the regular season because of a knee injury.
Jones said Dallas remains firmly in the division race, stressing that his confidence is based as much on the Cowboys’ own potential as on the problems facing their rivals.
“We are absolutely still in contention,” Jones said. “That is mainly because of how I view our team, not simply what the others are doing. Philadelphia, the Giants and Dallas all have things to improve. Health and availability matter, and we are only getting started.”
