Cowboys Owner Jones Expresses Frustration Over Late-Game Mistakes

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones voiced his dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the final seconds of their recent loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro. The Cowboys conceded a game-winning field goal after a series of plays that Jones described as inexplicable.

After Dallas tied the game at 31 with a field goal in the final minute, the Ravens received the ensuing kickoff with seven seconds remaining. A touchback by kicker Brandon Aubrey set up a quick pass from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers, advancing the Ravens into position for the decisive field goal.

Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer reviewed the offensive sequence that led to the tying field goal, particularly a third-down throwaway by quarterback Dak Prescott that forced the Cowboys to settle for a kick rather than attempt a touchdown. "There is no explanation you're satisfied with. None," Jones stated on Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. "Let's be sure that we all understand that. [The coaches] don't have one that they're satisfied with. ... But there's an evaluation of how not to make the same mistakes again. You can't get that back. [There's] no way to get it back. What you can do is use it ... to get better. That's what's being done."

Schottenheimer echoed Jones' sentiment, acknowledging his role in the team's struggles. "I'm man enough to take mistakes. I make a lot of mistakes. I'm certainly not perfect," Schottenheimer said. "And I know one thing, Jerry and I had a very good conversation about it. I explained it. He understands. He understands that there was a mistake that was made, and he was terrific. Great, sound advice. I value him."

He took personal accountability for the final 28 seconds of the game, admitting, "I hurt our chance to win that game and I'll be better. And I'm better than that. I'm better than I performed in the last 28 seconds."

Schottenheimer attributed some of the late-game missteps to frustration over the third-down call and a breakdown in communication between special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen and game management coordinator Ryan Feder. He referenced his father's coaching philosophy of focusing on one play at a time, suggesting that frustration over one play had impacted subsequent decisions.

Schottenheimer, in his 20th game as a head coach after 25 years on NFL coaching staffs, expressed confidence in his ability to improve and his alignment with Jones. The Cowboys, with a 1-2 record entering Week 4, are set to face the Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers in their upcoming games. The Buccaneers will be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield for several weeks, with Jalon Daniels expected to start in his place.