Cowboys’ MNF Loss: Offense, Not Defense, Costs Dallas

The Cowboys’ defense has issues, but it is not the main reason they lost on Monday night. Arizona won 27-17, yet the bigger story was Dallas leaving points on the field. The Cowboys drove inside the Arizona 25 three different times early and came away with only three points. They also went 0-for-3 on fourth down and gave up five sacks.

The defense bent, but it did not break the game by itself. Arizona mixed the run and quick throws to stay in rhythm, then hit a few chunk plays. That is not ideal, but it still puts the ball back in the hands of a Dallas offense that is built to score. The offense did not answer often enough, which is why the final score looks the way it does.

Dak Prescott took five sacks and faced 20 pressures, which killed drives and hurt field position. Dallas also went 0-for-3 on fourth down and 1-for-3 in the red zone, which kept points off the board. Arizona leaned into play action at a season-high rate, which sped up the pocket and forced quicker throws. The matchup numbers show how thin the margin was, with Marvin Harrison Jr. posting 7 catches, 96 yards, and a TD, including 5 of 6 for 61 yards vs. DaRon Bland.

If you just look at the score, it is easy to blame the defense. But the tape and the data tell a clearer story. Dallas moved the ball at times, then stalled because of sacks, missed throws, and fourth-down failures. Fix the basics on offense. Protect the quarterback. Take the sure points when they are there. If the Cowboys do that, the defense will not have to be perfect for Dallas to win.