The Dallas Cowboys had a night to forget in their 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. Dallas struggled to get going early, gave up several long drives, and made mistakes at important moments. Dak Prescott felt some of those problems came from the Cowboys themselves.

“Yeah, some self-inflicted wounds. Didn't get going early, right? Three-and-out to start the game," Dak Prescott said on September 14.

The interception came with less than a minute left in the first half, with the game tied 7-7. Prescott moved back to avoid pressure before sending a pass downfield that Giants safety Jevon Holland picked off. New York then drove for a touchdown and went into halftime with a 14-7 lead.

“I was surprised. One I want back, obviously. I think that was a huge part in the game. They scored before half, they got the ball, started half, and they went and scored,” Prescott told the reporters postgame on September 14.

New York carried that momentum into the third quarter, putting together a 12-play, 74-yard touchdown drive.

Dallas answered with touchdowns on its next two possessions, but those were its only offensive drives of the second half before the Giants ran out the clock.

“Yeah, I mean, that's never—never think that's going to happen. It's football. Those guys, I know they want those back just like I want that interception back,” Prescott added.

The Cowboys now turn their attention to Washington and their home opener, with Week 1 behind them and another chance to get the season moving in the right direction.

While Prescott reflected on the mistakes that hurt Dallas, Schottenheimer offered his own take on how the game slipped away after halftime.

Brian Schottenheimer points to a key issue in Cowboys’ Week 1 loss

The Giants came out of halftime with control of the game and kept Dallas from finding a late opening. Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while New York finished with 394 total yards and converted 9 of 10 third-down attempts.

Brian Schottenheimer felt the Cowboys had chances on offense but did not get enough possessions late.

“I thought we offensively responded very well. We just didn't get enough opportunities there late, but certainly did not come out of the game very fast on either side,” Brian Schottenheimer told reporters postgame on September 14.

Dallas also gave up 90 yards on nine penalties. One costly moment came after Javonte Williams scored late in the fourth quarter. His taunting penalty pushed Brandon Aubrey’s extra point attempt back, and the kick was missed.

“He was trying to throw it away and didn't get enough on it, and that happens, but it was a big momentum swing,” Schottenheimer added.

Prescott also looked back at his interception before halftime as one of the plays that hurt Dallas most.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit