The Dallas Cowboys fell 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens at the death Sunday in Brazil, with their final defensive sequence drawing a pointed rebuke from former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
During NBC's halftime coverage, Tomlin examined the final seven seconds of regulation and described Dallas' defensive strategy as “somewhat negligent.” However, he did not specifically name Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer or defensive coordinator Christian Parker while discussing the decision.
“I thought the sequence play by the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the game was somewhat negligent, to be quite honest with you,” said Tomlin.
With the score tied 31-31, Baltimore had possession at its own 35-yard line and only seven seconds remaining. The Ravens needed approximately 18 yards to reach field-goal range, but Dallas appeared to use man coverage instead of the zone approach Tomlin expected in that situation.
Lamar Jackson took advantage, finding Zay Flowers for a 27-yard completion. Flowers was brought down at the Cowboys' 38-yard line, allowing Jackson to call timeout with one second remaining. That stopped the clock and gave Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop an opportunity to attempt a 56-yard field goal.
Loop converted the kick, securing the victory for the Ravens in regulation and dropping Dallas to 1-2.
Tomlin said he was “really surprised” that the Cowboys opted for man-to-man coverage on Flowers. He explained that teams generally use what he called “umbrella zones' in such circumstances, with the primary objective being to prevent a completion that could immediately put the opposing team in position to attempt a game-winning kick.
Tomlin also pointed to the kickoff before the final possession, observing that Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey produced a touchback, which allowed Baltimore to begin at its own 35-yard line without time being taken off the clock by a return.
The Cowboys will face the winless Houston Texans next Sunday in Week 4.