The Cowboys are hoping to use the bad taste in their mouths as fuel for the home stretch of the season. Sunday’s loss at Lambeau exposed several things that need fixing fast: an ongoing penalty problem (and the apparently irresistible urge to blame officials), Dak’s communication with his pass-catchers, a massive vulnerability at run defense, and the need to keep the secondary healthy. To that last point, Mike McCarthy gives an encouraging update on Anthony Brown, and Stephen Jones reassures that Ezekiel Elliott will be back in Week 11.
Meanwhile, a few tidbits from the Packers loss, including Dak Prescott’s major milestone, what’s happening with Jason Peters, and what the loss did to the Cowboys’ playoff chances. Fourth-quarter comebacks were contagious on Sunday, a mock draft has Dallas revamping their backfield, and Troy Aikman makes a return to the MNF booth after a family tragedy. That’s all up in News and Notes.
Cornerback Anthony Brown suffered a concussion while giving up a touchdown in the second quarter; DaRon Bland and Kelvin Joseph didn’t look particularly good as his replacements. Mike McCarthy says he’s optimistic that Brown could clear concussion protocol in time to face the Vikings.
Nine penalties didn’t sit well with Cowboys players or coaches, but the ones in overtime were particularly painful. Jalen Tolbert told the team he got an official’s okay on his stance before being called offside. Three plays later, Connor McGovern was flagged for a hold that didn’t look like it at all. Then refs missed a blatant defensive pass interference call against a Green Bay defender. It all added up to Mike McCarthy’s fateful decision to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal in overtime. “Your confidence kind of gets negated every time the refs get involved,” CeeDee Lamb said.
Tony Pollard rolled for 115 yards and a touchdown, and Malik Davis added 38 yards of his own. But Jones says, “I think you miss that part of our offense when you don’t have Zeke. His physical running style wears defenses down.” Elliott should be back versus Minnesota after sitting out for a second straight game.
The linebacker was upset over giving up 200+ rushing yards for the second game in a row, and he’s concerned it’s the start of a trend. “If one person’s not doing their job,” he said,…
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