The Cowboys blew a 14-point lead and lost at home for the first time in franchise history on Sunday, so quarterback Dak Prescott may have been understating things when he called it “one of the toughest” losses of his career.
Arizona scored 20 points in the final 11 minutes of regulation and then missed an extra point that would have given them a win. That reprieve did not spark the Cowboys as they went three-and-out on their only possession before the Cardinals’ game-winning field goal in overtime.
The magnitude of the collapse during a season that has featured other underwhelming performances has led to questions about head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s job security. Prescott was adamant after the loss that all can’t be put on Schottenheimer’s shoulders.
“It’s all of us,” Prescott said, via the team’s website. “Don’t put the blame on one person. Simple as that. I think that’s weak. I think that’s cowardice. This game is about all 11 that touch the field and every person that has a part in it coaches and support staff. It’s never just one person’s fault. Even if I go out there and throw a bunch of interceptions, it’s never just truly one person’s fault. And so, don’t take the easy and cheap way out. This is about us and it’s about us backing him up and backing one another up and we’ll have to show it.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he’s not thinking about an in-season coaching change, but he also called the loss an “indictment of the whole show” and Schottenheimer’s job puts him at the top of the pyramid. That could wind up working out well for him if the 3-5 team can navigate its way past the Giants to win the NFC East, but there’s been little about their performance to this point in the season to suggest they’re capable of that kind of consistent success.