Those home victories over the Eagles and Chiefs made that Arizona loss here feel like something from a different season. Well, it was back to the old reality Sunday night when a last-place Vikings team got the best of Dallas, 34-26.
Offense
The point total wasn’t terrible against a veteran defense, but Dallas had one touchdown drive that was longer than 35 yards. Going end to end — or even from their own side of the 50 to the end zone — was mostly not an option for an offense that could not stop being confounded by the Vikings’ pressure on third downs. Just an overmatched look the Cowboys could not shake.
Grade: C
Defense
Cowboys
Only the Bengals have given up more points to the Vikings this season, and it seemed like we said ”only the Bengals” a lot back in September and October when talking about the Dallas defense. The Cowboys intercepted a pass in the first minute, then never made another big play (turnover or sack) in the final 59. If J.J. McCarthy had developed any chemistry at all with his best weapon, Justin Jefferson, this would have really gotten ugly.
Grade: D
Special teams
What else can the grade be when Brandon Aubrey, Mr. Automatic for Dallas the last two years, misses a pair of field goals? Cowboys were much better on kick coverage but that was never really an issue in this one.
Grade: D
Coaching
Brian Schottenheimer said he was outcoached by Brian Flores, the Vikings’ DC, and we won’t argue with him. No question the Cowboys were ready to play, even succeeding on a fake field goal in the first three minutes to set up a touchdown. But Minnesota’s disguised fronts fooled Dak and Co. all night long and the Cowboys didn’t blitz enough to cause McCarthy‘s inexperience to show.
Grade: D
Overall
This was a costly loss, a season-ender in all practical terms as only a fool thinks the Eagles are going 0-3 while Dallas finishes 3-0. Failure to score touchdowns on second and third quarter opportunities kept the Cowboys from gaining necessary control against a team that went 1-6 before last Sunday’s win against Washington.
Grade: D
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