Grading the Cowboys after a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at AT&T Stadium:
Offense
Six points by the offense through three quarters tells the story. And this was against a defense that got beat up in the fourth quarter last week by the Raiders and Gardner Minshew, a big loser Sunday to the Carolina Panthers. Prior to the fourth quarter, the club’s inability to do anything beyond setting up Brandon Aubrey for long field goals was alarming.
Grade: D
Defense
I think the D stands for Draw between the offense and defense as to which was worse Sunday. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson had their way in the running game, and although the Ravens rarely needed much in the way of passing yards, receivers did not struggle to get open, especially Rashod Bateman on the TD that made it 21-3.
Grade: D
Special teams
What else do you give a guy who allows the team to kick a 65-yard field goal fearlessly? Aubrey is special, and that can’t be said of many of the 2024 Cowboys. Then the club went for the rare onside kick (has to be announced now) and were successful on their first attempt in the fourth quarter.
Grade: A
Coaching
Taking the ball after winning the toss was the right move. Did anything matter once the offense showed its ineptitude and the defense got overwhelmed again on the run? I don’t think we can say it’s just a particular scheme that the Dallas defense struggles again now. This is becoming a talent issue.
Grade: C
Overall
The comeback was a little late and a little empty against a team that gave up a win at home last week against Las Vegas. If this was a back-and-forth game for a three-point loss, you feel like maybe it’s a missed opportunity. The Cowboys were merely fortunate that the score was ever close.
Grade: D
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