After a huge comeback in Week Two, the Cowboys failed to repeat this week in their 38-31 loss. Instead of relying on K Greg Zurilein to hit a 46 yard field goal, all eyes were on Dak Prescott to make a desperation throw with 10 seconds left that eventually ended in an INT.
Here is what led to the loss in Week Three.
Defense Secondary
The pass rusher proved well this week; the secondary did not. Aside from the excellent play by rookie CB Trevon Diggs to force a touchback after getting burnt by DK Metcalf, Russell Wilson picked apart the secondary. Tyler Locket had himself a day with 3 TDs and rec.100 yards against the beat-up defense. Not only did the Cowboys CBs struggle with coverage, they committed costly penalties that could have easily taken the defense off the field. Many fans are calling for the Cowboys to sign free-agent S Earl Thomas to help the secondary, but for now, Mike Nolan has a lot of holes to fill on the backend of the defense.
Running Game
The game plan for OC Kellen Moore was to win with the passing game, but completely excluding Ezekiel Elliot must have not been. While he did have one rushing TD, Zeke was still held to 34 yards off of 14 attempts. Kellen Moore tried to incorporate Elliot in the passing game, but the Seahawks would not let Prescott get easy dump offs to his RB. The heart of the team still relies on Elliot to break down the defense and this week, Zeke could not find his footing.
Special Teams
The Cowboys Special Team may still have been on cloud nine heading into Week Three. Greg Zuerlein missed two extra points and Tony Pollard had a very disastrous muff on a kick-off that led to the Seahawks eventually scoring. In the end, it all comes down to execution. Special Teams coordinator John Fassel may have to make a decision on replacing RB Tony Pollard as a kick returner because this is the second week in a row that the University of Memphis product has had trouble.
Dallas now falls to a 1-2 record in the season and will have a chance to bounce back in Week Four against the Cleveland Browns. Mike McCarthy will again have his hands full trying to fix the mistakes from this week. If they want to take the struggling NFC East, they need to start stringing together wins.
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