16. Dallas Cowboys
Last week: 15th
Another huge performance from the Dallas Cowboys’ offense wasted by poor defense. Where have we heard this before?
Dak Prescott is playing so well, and he’s not going to get any credit for it because the Cowboys’ defense can’t stop anybody.
Even though rookie Jaishawn Barham came up with one huge stop on a 4th-and-goal play to swing the momentum in the Cowboys’ favor in this play, the banged-up Dallas secondary couldn’t contain Zay Flowers in the closing seconds of the game, allowing a 27-yard reception that set up the Ravens’ game-winning field goal.
As rough as the defense was situationally to end the game, the loss in Rio De Janeiro might be able to be pinpointed to Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who refused to hand the ball off to Javonte Williams in a late goal-to-go situation. It was also abundantly clear that he was playing not to lose late against the Ravens, and wrongly assumed that Baltimore would play for overtime as well.
The long flight home is going to sting even more knowing all of the opportunities that were missed.
15. New Orleans Saints
Last week: 11th
I’m not going to ding the Saints too much for their loss against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, but they made a lot of inexcusable mistakes, especially in the ball security department.
Tyler Shough continued to add to his incredibly impressive sophomore season totals with four touchdown passes against the Raiders, but had an interception and two lost fumbles. You can’t have that when you’re playing at home against a team that is executing as well as the Raiders have been offensively.
Losing the turnover battle 1-4 against the Raiders, the Saints are lucky they even had a chance to win late in this game. It could have been ugly.
I’m still high on this Saints team long-term. The NFC South is already doing NFC South things so far this season, and even at 1-2, the Saints are tied for the best record in the division through three weeks. The Panthers and Falcons each have one win, while the Bucs are the lone winless team in the division at 0-3.
The Saints will have a shot to get back on track immediately against a division opponent with the Falcons coming to town for Monday Night Football in Week 4.
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