EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — When the New York Jets failed to convert on fourth down midway through the third quarter, Dak Prescott and Brian Schottenheimer discussed their subsequent offensive series.
The Cowboys held a comfortable 20-point advantage as the third quarter progressed. Their dominant first-half performance had established a significant lead, but their momentum waned with two consecutive punts at the start of the third quarter.
The team’s play-caller acknowledged to his quarterback that he hadn’t optimally positioned his players for success on a few previous snaps.
Subsequently, upon noticing the absence of prominent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the field and observing Jets safety Tony Adams anticipating the Cowboys’ crossing routes, Schottenheimer opted to call a play for a deep pass to receiver George Pickens.
Prescott connected with Pickens for a 43-yard touchdown with approximately four and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter, increasing Dallas’s lead, which the Jets could not overcome, leading to a 37-22 Cowboys victory.
“We had two possessions that ended quickly, and he didn’t express frustration towards us; instead, he directed it towards himself,” Prescott shared with Yahoo Sports in the locker room following the game. “There was a moment during the second half when he seemed to regroup, ‘Alright, let me focus. Let me make a strategic call.’ And then instantly, a touchdown pass to GP occurred, and he exclaimed, ‘I’m back.’
“The level of accountability, openness, and genuine collaboration with him has been excellent.”
Prescott and Schottenheimer collaborated effectively to orchestrate another scoring opportunity, contributing to the Cowboys’ improved record of 2-2-1, achieving their third consecutive game with 30 or more points.
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Dallas’s current standing remains distant from their objectives in Schottenheimer’s inaugural year as the offensive play-caller. The team recognizes that their opponents will not always be the league’s sole remaining winless team, as was the case in this game.
Regardless, the Cowboys assessed their roster at MetLife Stadium and recognized that they managed to score 37 points despite being without four of their five starting offensive linemen and two of their top three receivers due to injuries.
They took into account their achievement of scoring over 30 points for the third game in a row.
The overall assessment?
Perhaps entrusting a first-time play-caller who had not called plays in five seasons might not be as unconventional as initially perceived.
“This team is the most significantly patched-up group I can recall being associated with throughout my years in the sport,” stated team owner and general manager Jerry Jones in an interview with Yahoo Sports. “The coaching staff is the primary reason for our victories and the tie we’ve achieved. It’s all about the coaching.
“We’ve had to make numerous adjustments to keep the team competitive.”
Cowboys’ triumph over Jets featured an atypical lineup
It’s conceivable that Aaron Glenn’s statement was not intended as it seemed.
The Jets’ head coach commended his defense for forcing four punts during the second half, concurrent with his comment that “we cannot permit a team of this nature to score on their initial few possessions.”
He paused after characterizing the Cowboys as “a team of this nature” — as if he was hesitant to publicly acknowledge that their team had allowed such offensive proficiency to a group that entered the game with two victories and an incomplete set of starting offensive linemen.
However, Dallas accomplished precisely that, with Prescott identifying relatively unknown receiver Ryan Flournoy, who accumulated 114 receiving yards, in the absence of CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and KaVontae Turpin (foot).
Both Flournoy and running back Javonte Williams surpassed 100 yards before halftime, marking the first instance since 1978 that Dallas has featured a 100-yard receiver and a 100-yard rusher in the same half, according to team records.
“There aren’t many teams in the league that could substitute four non-starting players into the offensive line and maintain confidence in their ability to compete and win a game, particularly on the road against one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen and effective pass rushers,” Prescott noted. “Credit is due to the front office for acquiring these individuals, but equally important is the fact that these players do not view themselves as mere backups, and rightfully so.”
Prescott advised his rotating lineup to recall his own opportunity to become a starter a decade ago when injuries sidelined Tony Romo and Kellen Moore, paving the way for Prescott’s participation in preseason play and ultimately his Week 1 start in 2016.
He has maintained his starting role since then, throwing for 237 yards and four touchdowns, as well as rushing for 28 yards. Prescott’s 41st three-touchdown game surpassed Romo’s franchise record.
Dallas’s offense was not without flaws, as multiple Pro Bowlers were sidelined, contributing to three of the team’s 11 penalties on the day. However, they outgained New York 416 yards to 378, despite the Jets possessing the ball for nine minutes and 11 seconds longer than the Cowboys. An increased emphasis on pre-snap motion proved beneficial, with the Cowboys utilizing motion to inform Prescott’s decision-making on 67% of throws, an increase from last year’s 58%, as per NFL Next Gen Stats.
In a critical sequence before halftime, the Cowboys forced a fumble by Breece Hall with 2:27 remaining in the second quarter, then scored a touchdown with 1:02 left, and subsequently forced the Jets into a three-and-out.
Dallas anticipated that Williams could secure a first down, after which they could use a timeout to regroup in the final minute. Instead, Williams surged forward for 66 yards — resulting in the Cowboys executing a 14-second scoring drive as halftime approached.
“I was pursuing him down the field with the intention of stopping the clock, but [Williams] continued to run,” Prescott recounted to Yahoo Sports. “[Schottenheimer] had anticipated this from his preparation and analysis, expecting it to result in a significant gain, which it indeed did, even surpassing expectations.
“He simply stated, ‘We have insight into their anticipated actions. This will be a successful play.’”
The Cowboys’ offense executed effectively, not just once, but repeatedly on Sunday.
As Prescott hears chants of MVP, Cowboys express gratitude for his presence
While Prescott and Jones lauded their 51-year-old play-caller, who had previously coordinated the Jets’ offense from 2006 to 2011, Schottenheimer redirected the praise back to them.
“This success is a testament to the players, not the coaches,” Schottenheimer emphasized.
He encouraged his locker room to celebrate their season-high five sacks, the turnovers they forced, and the touchdowns they scored.
He also singled out one player for special recognition.
The quarterback who was executing his plays effectively, seizing opportunities during free plays and benefiting from penalties, and utilizing his arms and legs to generate 11 touchdowns and 1,406 total offensive yards through five weeks?
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys were down a bunch of key pieces on offense, and still had a huge day on the road against the Jets. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
According to TruMedia Sports, only Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams has more touchdowns. Additionally, only Stafford and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have accumulated more total yards.
“In my opinion, we are exceptionally fortunate,” Schottenheimer remarked. “I believe he is among the league’s finest players.”
Evidently, some attendees at MetLife Stadium concurred. The same boisterous group of fans who previously urged Jones to sell the team prior to kickoff chanted at Prescott from the stands both before and after the game.
MVP. MVP. MVP.
Did Prescott take notice?
“I mean, my hearing functions effectively,” he responded. “While I acknowledged the sound, I didn’t particularly focus on it. It’s only Week 5. I’m not concerned about it, even if it were Week 17… In my estimation, I didn’t perform at the level I aspired to.
“I’ve communicated to you previously what my ultimate objective is.”
It’s a championship ring that teammates and coaches are eager to help Prescott secure.
The Cowboys’ offense is performing at a level that fuels the team’s aspirations, contingent on the defense replicating Sunday’s performance consistently, rather than sporadically.
“Maintain progress, persist in your endeavors, and continue securing these victories, as this team possesses exceptional potential,” emphasized defensive tackle Solomon Thomas. “Our offense is undeniably elite.
“If we [as a defense] can provide them with adequate support, we have the potential to go all the way.”
The upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers presents another opportunity to compete effectively, even with a partially depleted roster.
Dallas hopes that Schottenheimer’s initial year as the play-caller stabilizes before a demanding schedule in November and December, featuring matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings in consecutive weeks.
Defeating the Jets will not suffice. Prescott aims to achieve significantly more, both for his coaching staff, the front office, and the teammates with whom he is cultivating a culture built on mutual respect and pride.
“Following our tie last week, I expressed my dissatisfaction, stating, ‘That outcome greatly frustrates me,’” Prescott revealed to Yahoo Sports. “I am driven by the desire to win.”
“I aspire to achieve victory.”
