By admin 
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told his players earlier this season that great teams find a way to stack wins. They create winning streaks, which the Cowboys have done only once in Schottenheimer’s time.
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On the contrary, bad teams stack losses – which the Cowboys can now say they’ve done this season.
The Cowboys fell to the Packers 23-13 on “Sunday Night Football.” It’s their second loss in a row, marking their first losing streak of the season. The Cowboys had an opportunity to climb in the standings with losses by both the Giants and Eagles. The opportunity was missed.
The Cowboys are now 2-4.
Here are five thoughts from the Cowboys’ loss in Green Bay:
(Third) Down-and-out
The Cowboys entered the week as the worst third-down defense in the NFL. They allowed a conversion 52.6% of the time through five weeks. It didn’t get better on Sunday.
The Cowboys allowed four third-down conversions on the opening drive. That included two conversions on third-and-13 and a 9-yard touchdown from Jordan Love to Matthew Golden.
The Packers converted their first seven third-down attempts before they were finally stopped near the goal line, forcing them to settle for a field goal.
Green Bay finished the game 11 for 18 on third downs.
The Cowboys brought in new defensive senior assistant Mike Pettine, in part, to dig through data and film and ascertain areas where the Cowboys defense could improve. They should devote a lot of that attention moving forward to how they play on third down.
The streak ends
The Cowboys were the final team in the NFL without an interception. They finally joined the rest of the league. Cowboys linebacker Dee Winters made a diving interception of Jordan Love while in coverage against Golden. Winters took the interception back for a touchdown, but replay showed he was down by contact.
It was the Cowboys’ first interception since Week 14 of last season.
It was a great play for Winters in an area where he’s struggled this season. He came in allowing 15 receptions on 17 targets for 142 yards, according to Next Gen Stats. Linebacker coverage was something the Cowboys have emphasized in practice. It paid off there.
The positive news didn’t last, however. Dak Prescott threw an interception on the ensuing drive. Winters even left the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter.
Where’s the balance?
Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said during the week they needed an identity on offense. He wanted them to be more balanced in terms of their run-pass distribution, which had swayed heavily in the passing direction through the first five weeks.
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The Cowboys had to earn more running carries, however. It wouldn’t be given to them. That was showcased again Sunday.
In the first half, the Cowboys threw the ball 15 times compared to just seven rushing attempts.
In the second half …
The Cowboys finished the game with 54 passing attempts compared to 15 rushing attempts. Their leading rusher was Javonte Williams with 11 carries for 41 yards.
Lack of offense
While the Cowboys’ defense has had its struggles, the recent performance by the offense hasn’t been great, either.
The Cowboys’ offense was shut out in the first half. That was the first time that has happened since Nov. 7, 2021, when they lost to the Broncos, 30-16.
Prescott threw two interceptions in the first half in Green Bay territory. One of those happened after CeeDee Lamb slipped and fell, creating for an easy Brandon Cisse interception.
The last two weeks, the Cowboys’ offense has been held in check. It’s an area that’s supposed to lead this team. The last two weeks just hasn’t been enough from an offensive perspective.
And yet …
Remember the losses from the Eagles and Giants we pointed out in the beginning? Well, if the Washington Commanders lose to the undefeated 49ers on Monday it’ll mean the division was winless for the second week in a row. That includes last week when the Commanders and Giants tied.
It means that despite how much the Cowboys have underachieved this season – and despite there being little optimism about this team at the moment – they still have a chance to go on a run. They still have a chance to turn things around, starting next week against the Eagles.
Bad teams lose back-to-back games. Really bad teams lose three. They can’t allow that to happen.
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