Getty Ezekiel Elliott
It’s not that the Dallas Cowboys are losing to the Green Bay Packers. It’s how they’re losing.
Sacks.
Turnovers.
Stalled drives.
Missed opportunities.
No run defense.
No touchdowns.
And, most disturbing, no passion.
The Cowboys appear as if they want this game a lot less than the visiting Packers, who are playing with fire and intensity — a vigor to win. Everything the Cowboys lack, and nothing they can hide.
FOX Sports announcer and legendary Cowboys QB Troy Aikman picked up on the team’s collectively “lifeless” attitude amid the 17-0 first-half shutout.
Sideline reporter Erin Andrews immediately echoed Aikman’s observation, noting that Dallas players, including star quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, were standing alone on the sideline, and the group as a whole seemed “shell-shocked” by what’s unfolding.
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A Dak Problem
For a second straight game, the Cowboys’ offense has struggled to reach its high-octane gear, the one we saw in Weeks 1-3. The issues lay at the feet of Prescott, who has no touchdowns and two interceptions as of this writing. His second pick was especially bad, a ball intended for absolutely nobody.
Irrational Cowboys fans could look to blame former Eagles QB Michael Vick, who predicted that Dak would have a “$40 million game” against Green Bay — that is, justify his reported contract demand.
“Over the past three weeks, we sat here and said, ‘We thought Dak was the future of the Dallas Cowboys,’ and I still think so,” Vick said. “But they played some teams that were just okay, just mediocre, and they happened to get out of the stadium with a W. But can he put it all together and win a game today? The game that I think will be his $40 million game; cement that contract into his pocket. After a tough loss to New Orleans last week, this is a bounce-back game. Get out there and earn your money, Dak.”
It’s not all on Prescott, however, as his offensive line, missing left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle), is surrendering consistent pressure to the Packers’ extremely active front. But as a guy on the precipice of becoming the league’s richest-ever signal-caller, he shoulders the blame for a loss (or potential loss).
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Follow Zack Kelberman on Twitter: @KelbermanNFL