The Cowboys were embarrassed by the Vikings in a 34-26 loss on Sunday night.
The Dallas Cowboys slumped to a 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium in a Sunday night game in which once again, coach Brian Schottenheimer's team shot itself in the foot.
How so?
Two missed Brandon Aubrey field goals. A defense that was embarrassing against young QB JJ McCarthy. A seventh time this season the unit has given up 30+ points in a game. An offensive line that struggled to protect Dak Prescott (23 of 38 for 294 yards but two sacks). And no bounce-back from George Pickens as the offense stuttered and spluttered.
It just about ended Dallas' playoff hopes, which were already thin before the game, but once again, when it was all on the line, the Cowboys laid an egg. ...
And as has our Cowboys insider Mike Fisher using the word "choked.''
"Dak and team leaders in this locker room keep talking about embracing the pressure and not feeling like it's a burden,'' Fish said after the game. "But it sure seems like so often in what we'll call 'The Dak Era,' the Cowboys do indeed succumb to the pressure.
"I mean, they were 7-point favorites and got pushed around. Does that suggest they choked?''
READ MORE: Cowboys ‘Winners & Losers’ from Crushing Loss vs. Vikings
Before the game, we highlighted five things the Cowboys could do to help them get the win.
Let's see how they did.
1 - Navigate Vikings' high blitz rate - Grade F
While Prescott was only sacked twice, it was the constant pressure that the offensive line struggled with, as Terence Steele and Nate Thomas were easily beaten several times, and Dak was moved off his spot far too often.
It is now back-to-back games that this young offensive line has struggled to deal with the pressure, and yes, it's a learning curve, but the Cowboys needed them to be better.
Prescott barely had time to throw in what was a constant theme throughout the night.
2 - Get Pickens involved early - Grade F
Well, it didn't happen, and not just early, but the entire game, with Pickens' first catch coming with 35 seconds left in the half.
Pickens would finish the game with just three catches for 33 yards as he was virtually anonymous while CeeDee Lamb (6 receptions, 111 yards) did the heavy lifting once again.
If last week was loud in terms of anti-GP talk, I get the feeling it's about to get even louder after this.
3 - Win the turnover battle - Grade A
Donovan Wilson's tipped pass on the second play of the game saw Quinnen Williams grab an interception, and a few plays later, Javonte Williams rushed for a touchdown to open the scoring.
After that, there was nothing.
The Dallas defense could barely get to McCarthy, who had a career game, and the offense didn't turn it over.
So, Dallas won the famed turnover battle Schottenheimer loves ... for what its worth.
4 - Be aware of the Jefferson bounce-back - Grade B
Jefferson would only have one target in the first quarter, and he did have a touchdown brought back due to a flag with a little over three minutes left in the first half.
Justin would finish his night having just 22 yards from two catches, but it didn't matter because Dallas got torched by all of Minnesota's other weapons.
Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson both had 66 yards, while Jalon Nailor grabbed 47 yards and two touchdowns.
Embarrassing from this Dallas defense ... again.
5 - Win on third down - Grade F
The first half was horrible for Dallas, going 1-for-7 on third down, (albeit while going 3-for-3 on fourth down).
And it didn't get much better after halftime, as the Cowboys would end the night converting just two of their 12 third-down attempts. The Vikings' defensive pressure wreaked havoc all night as the Cowboys - one of the NFL's best on offensive third-down conversions - struggled to deal with one of the biggest factors in football. ... and yeah, maybe that kinda is evidence of "choking.''