A well-timed blitz by New York Jets defensive coordinator Greg Williams thwarted the Dallas Cowboys second-half comeback as they fell 24-22 loosing their third straight. Sitting at 3-3 here are the four biggest takeaways from today’s game.
1. Slow Start
Another slow start. Another loss. It seems to be a trend that started with the New Orleans Saints game and has continued through Green Bay and now to New York. After falling behind 21-6 at the half the offense once again had the pressure to make up another multiple scores deficient and while they tried their best they came two points short. Heading into a key divisional game against the Philidelphia Eagles next week it is imperative that the Cowboys start of fast unless they want to once again find history repeating itself.
2. Injuries
Both offensive tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins both did not play along with wide receiver Randall Cobb. To make matters worse star wide receiver Amari Cooper left early with a quad injury and did not return along with defensive end Dorrance Armstrong who dealt with a neck injury. The cherry on top came late in the game when cornerbacks Byron Jones and Anthony Brown both left with hamstring tightness. While the biggest losses were felt on the offensive line, an injury list growing this rapidly at this point of the season is concerning especially heading into key matchups like the one next week.
3. Season Highs……For the Jets
Let’s quickly go through the season highs and first for the Jets today. Wide receiver Robbie Anderson’s 92-yard touchdown catch was not only embarrassing for the Cowboys secondary but it also marked the first touchdown catch by a receiver on the season. A Sam Darnold-less Jets came in averaging a league-worst 113 passing yards a game. They posted 326. Running back Le’Veon Bell’s 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter marked the first time since week one that the Jets have had a lead. The offense posted two touchdowns all season. They had three in the first half. Finally, they kicked their first field goal all season inside 40 yards. Needless to say, this can’t happen next week in any way shape or form.
4. Red Zone Woes
Two of four. That was the Cowboys outting in the red zone today and it cost them. Worse of the bunch being a two-play stretch where a third and one turned into a turnover on downs and a 92-yard touchdown on the play after. On the bright side kicker, Brett Maher hit a 62-yarder before the half but missed one that would’ve made it 19-24 late in the fourth. If he had hit that kick and the Cowboys still go on to score their late-game touchdown we’d be talking about a win instead of a loss.
