What Stephen Jones saw as 'the real turning point' in Cowboys' Week 1 loss to Giants
· Yahoo Sports
The Dallas Cowboys have some work to do after their season-opening loss to the New York Giants.
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By now, those who followed the matchup know Dallas' defensive troubles were the biggest storyline in the team's 28-20 loss. While the defense struggled for most of Sunday's game, Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones pointed out a specific play that drained Dallas of momentum during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) on Monday.
What was the play? It was the interception Dak Prescott threw right before the halftime break.
"I think that was the real turning point in the game," Jones said Monday.
As the first half was winding down, the Cowboys had a chance to take the lead after tying the game up at 7-7. Dallas' offense got the ball back after defensive tackle Quinnen Williams jarred it loose from Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. with 1:50 left in the second quarter. When Prescott and the offense got to work, the drive hit a speed bump after George Pickens dropped what would have been a nearly 30-yard gain down the right sideline.
Prescott then found CeeDee Lamb to pick up a first down. Two plays later, the quarterback found Ryan Flournoy for a 5-yard gain. The positive run stopped there as Prescott tried to throw the ball out of bounds after being pressured on third-and-5. The ball never made it out of bounds as Giants safety Jevon Holland snagged the interception.
The Giants' offense needed just six plays in 29 seconds to add another touchdown to their tally before the break.
"I know [Prescott] wishes he had the [throw] back, but he was having to throw off his back foot under pressure, and I think he still had confidence his arm could get the ball out of bounds. Unfortunately, it didn't," Jones said. "We were expecting a minimum of three points right there, going into halftime with a lead that would have really made you feel good about yourself because it was a tough game at that point."
After taking a 14-7 lead into the break, the Giants dominated the game clock and the contest's momentum. Dallas only held the ball for two offensive drives in the entire second half.
Jones said he felt the Cowboys could have made it a "different game" if they had gone into halftime with the lead.
"Hat's off to them. They made the plays to win the game, and we've got to be better," Jones said. "[John] Harbaugh is a hell of a coach. They've got really good players, and he's got them playing well."
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