Dallas Cowboys 'Wake-Up Call' - Or Not? Dak Prescott Takes the Blame

The Dallas Cowboys dropped a game against a struggling Arizona Cardinals unit on Sunday, and quarterback Dak Prescott is shouldering most of the blame with the media.

Losses are never fun, but when you do drop a game in the NFL, you want a certain response from your quarterback. ... So is it all a "wake-up call''?

Dak Prescott shouldered the load of the blame for the Dallas Cowboys' shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, continuing to state that his unit didn't get the job done in the red zone despite having some success moving the ball throughout the game.

Late in the game, Prescott under-threw a pass intended for wide receiver Michael Gallup, and it appeared that this error would be bailed out by a defensive pass interference call. The officials, however, waved off the flag, and Prescott concluded the possession by throwing an interception in the end zone.

"We just didn't score," Prescott said. "Simple as that. Took a shot at the end zone, and I've got to get that throw out there in front of (Michael Gallup). I thought we got the call. Obviously, the refs got together and didn't give it to us. From there, I've got to make that third-down throw."

Dak felt that he "needed to make a play" on that deciding offensive possession, a position that was brought on by the Cowboys shooting themselves in the proverbial foot for four quarters with penalties--13 of them for 107 yards in the 28-16 loss on Sunday.

"It was tough," Prescott said. "Penalties plus being on the road is never easy. Dug ourselves into some holes on different drives. We overcame some of them, but even when you're able to overcome them, you're making it hard on yourself and taking yourself out of that rhythm.

"We've got to do better. Just as a team, a unit, myself. I've got to make some throws, maybe use my feet more. Even with the win last week, that was the sore spot in the win. Obviously, you look at this loss, you move the ball up and down the field and just can't score."

Dak sort of dismissed the idea of this loss as a "wake-up call.'' But COO Stephen Jones on Monday on 105.3 The Fan used that exact term.

“I think it’s a really good wake-up call for us,'' Jones said. "We gotta take a look at the film and learn from it. … We did things that get you beat. … We just gotta execute in the red zone. We gotta be better than that.”

And on that point, Dak agrees.

The Cowboys started the season hotter than any team in the NFL, dominating the two teams in the New York City market with elite defensive play and "complimentary" scoring drives. So, what's next after this loss to a scuffling Cardinals team?

"We've all got to get back to the drawing board," Prescott said. "It starts with me making some throws and some plays with my feet and trying to get it done."

The Cowboys will return to the familiar confines of AT&T Stadium next week when they host the New England Patriots, but Dak is right: for this team to reach its potential in 2023, the offensive production has to be better, especially on days where Dan Quinn's defense isn't clicking on all cylinders.