Cowboys Took Points Away, Never Scored Again: Key Plays, Decisions in Fifth Consecutive Loss

Missed Opportunities Haunt Cowboys in Loss

The Dallas Cowboys' disappointing season continued Sunday with a 25-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, their fifth consecutive defeat. The Cowboys had chances to win the game, but they failed to capitalize on several key plays and decisions.

Costly Penalties Stall Drives

Penalties were a major problem for the Cowboys, who were flagged nine times for 80 yards. Several of those penalties came at critical moments, stalling drives and giving the Jaguars good field position. The most costly penalty came late in the third quarter, when a holding penalty wiped out a 22-yard run by Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys were forced to punt, and the Jaguars took over at their own 45-yard line. The Jaguars went on to score a touchdown on that drive, giving them a 22-10 lead.

Dak Prescott's Interception Proves Costly

Dak Prescott threw his first interception of the season on a pass intended for Michael Gallup in the third quarter. The interception gave the Jaguars the ball at the Cowboys' 25-yard line, and they quickly turned it into a touchdown. The interception was a costly mistake by Prescott, who had been playing well up to that point.

Cowboys Fail to Convert in Red Zone

The Cowboys had two chances to score touchdowns in the red zone, but they failed to convert either time. In the first quarter, they settled for a field goal after driving to the Jaguars' 1-yard line. In the fourth quarter, they turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Jaguars' 4-yard line. The Cowboys' inability to convert in the red zone proved to be a major factor in their loss.

Defensive Struggles Continue

The Cowboys' defense continues to struggle, allowing 25 points or more for the fifth consecutive game. The Jaguars were able to move the ball at will against the Cowboys, racking up 408 total yards. The Cowboys' pass rush was unable to generate any pressure on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys also allowed the Jaguars to convert 10 of 17 third-down attempts.

Conclusion

The Cowboys' loss to the Jaguars was a disappointing setback, but it also provided some valuable lessons. The Cowboys need to clean up their penalties, improve their red-zone offense, and find a way to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. If they can do those things, they have the potential to be a competitive team.