The Dallas Cowboys barely survived a close battle with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but the victory does not mean the job is done. Stephen Jones, the team’s co-owner, made it clear that the franchise still has a key lesson to learn after the 27-23 win. The game felt eerily similar to the loss against Arizona the week before, and the team needs to fix its habit of letting leads slip away.
Jones did not mince words about the state of the squad. “I think it’s something that — it’s a learning experience. I still think we’ve got a long ways to go,” Jones said. The team has to learn how to win and how to close out games, which remains a major problem for this group. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer agrees with this assessment and knows the team must do better things to succeed.
Penalties Are Killing Dallas
The most glaring issue on the field was a lack of discipline that nearly cost the Cowboys the game. Pro Football Network reported that Dallas’s 14 penalties totaling 153 yards erased over 100 yards of total offense. Former NFL star Chad Johnson was furious about the sloppy play and warned the team that they cannot have so many penalties if they want to win. Johnson compared the team’s behavior to the Oakland Raiders of the 80s and 90s.
The worst moment came when inactive linebacker DeMarvion Overshown ran onto the field in street clothes to celebrate a big play. Referee Clay Martin called an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for the non-uniform player in blue sweats and a stocking cap. “After the play, unsportsmanlike conduct by Dallas. We had a non-uniform player in blue sweats and a stocking cap come onto the field to celebrate. That’s a 15-yard penalty,” the official announced. After a mistake shifted Dallas from its own 33-yard line to the 18, Indianapolis tied the game following a three-and-out.
Closing The Game Remains A Struggle
Even with a strong offensive showing, the Cowboys could not put the game away when they had the chance. Quarterback Dak Prescott called the offensive penalties “purely unacceptable” after the game, highlighting the frustration within the locker room. The team has made good plays, but drives often end up the way no one wants them to end in terms of moving the ball and scoring. “In this particular case, last week was no different closing the game out. We’re just not getting that done right now,” Jones noted regarding the struggles to finish drives.
The Cowboys now sit at a 4-5 record on the season and must clean up these mistakes quickly. With the playoff race still alive, the team trails the New York Giants by just 2.5 games for first place in the NFC East. Dallas faces a tough test next as they prepare to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4:25 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium.
