Explaining the reaction to last night's game

[SuspectCorner]

The Cowboys offense will come around - of THAT I have no doubt. Not a fan of Terance Steel - he IS the weakest link in that unit, week after weak week. But they have enough talent to overcome his shortcomings.

However, that defense better figure it out FAST. They scare the bejeebers outta me. Can’t pressure - can’t cover - can’t TACKLE. They were flat godawful. The rest of the league will be licking their chops in anticipation of playing against THAT group.

It could be a long season… again.

 

[DandyDon52]

Last night’s results from the 28-20 loss to the giants led to a level of anger and frustration I haven’t seen around here since the horrific loss to the packers in the playoffs in Jan, 2024. It’s usually dark after a Cowboys loss but last night had a little something extra in it.

And I believe it’s completely understandable and explainable. Here are some of the reasons for the level of fan anger during and after last night’s game:

• The fan buy-in this off-season was the highest I’ve seen in a few years. “This year feels different” was a very common theme. And maybe it will still end up being different. It’s only one game. (Anyone not “buying in” whole hog was often called “negative”, lol)
• Last night had a new cast of players on D but unfortunately had a lot of the same problems as last year. People lost in coverage, clueless looks and the inability to get a critical stop.
• New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker was practically fitted for a gold jacket this summer despite being 34, and a rookie DC never having called a game in his young life. He WILL need some patience of which there is none.
• Hate to say it but when it has been a three decade drought, patience is not something fans should be asked to give when the guys MOST responsible for this drought have zero accountability.
• AND…when your QB starts talking SB in July, maybe it’s time to tap the brakes and just focus on winning the next game.

BOTTOM LINE : Expectations probably exceeded capability. Surprise!
Here are some hard truths:

• The worst defense in the NFL in 2025 was always going to be a work in progress.
• If this defense had been mediocre last year and we added talent, it could become “good” this year.
• But this defense was awful the last two years. It may take more than a TC and PS to make this defense even middle of the pack.

Some change takes time. Should this fan base be patient? I think it’s completely understandable if many fans have zero patience. But this team will not be fixed with a draft and a new DC overnight. That was never “realistic”.

Folks, NFL teams are never forged in one game. We have 16 more of these. Will they be better? I don’t know. Time will tell.

But I do hope there is more patience - NOT for the leaders and players of this team. But for each other as Cowboys fans. If you were mad last night, you have every right to be. Direct your anger to the people running this thing…not each other.

all true bob , but how do you explain the giants??
also the cards were supposed to be worst team in NFC, and they beat chargers convincingly week one .they have new HC and staff.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

When you have even Collingsworth criticizing the defensive calls it says a lot about Parker’s DC skills. Not very encouraging. The scary part is that maybe these defensive players aren’t very good either. I believe we’re in for a very long season.

 

[Johannes44]

What you saw yesterday was the difference between a well coached team vs a team coached the Jones way.

 

[Bobhaze]

Our beloved fuhrer continues to show fans with every passing season who he is.

1. He only cares about profits, whether that means filling AT&T stadium with Cowboy fans or opposing fans, as long as the money keeps rolling in.
2. He has no intention of ever trying anything different because it would spoil all his fun playing fantasy football with the team he bought.
3. He has no plan going into a new season and we’ve been waiting 30+ seasons to figure out what kind of team he wants to build
4. He relies on the stupidly of the fan base to continue to buy into his yearly B.T. Barnum speeches, buy tickets, swag, etc
5. He loves dressing up like a pretend GM (and head coach) without doing any of the work
6. He will continue his choke hold on this franchise until he’s six feet under or the men in the white coats take him away to “Happy Acres” lol.
7. It’s impossible to win meaningful playoff games in his system regardless of talent, head coaches, etc

If Jerry ever wins a championship again, he will deserve no credit.

Why? Because he is LITERALLY the only GM to have (currently) 31 failed tries at the craps table without consequences. No other owner in sports would give an unlimited number of failed tries before winning something on the field.

GMs of successful sports teams are expected to win a championship within 4-5 years or they are shown the door.

So if blind squirrel Jones ever finds a nut it won’t be because he worked so hard and skillfully to win. It will be because on his umpteenth roll of the dice he finally rolled boxcars.

 

[Acceptablename]

Last night’s results from the 28-20 loss to the giants led to a level of anger and frustration I haven’t seen around here since the horrific loss to the packers in the playoffs in Jan, 2024. It’s usually dark after a Cowboys loss but last night had a little something extra in it.

And I believe it’s completely understandable and explainable. Here are some of the reasons for the level of fan anger during and after last night’s game:

• The fan buy-in this off-season was the highest I’ve seen in a few years. “This year feels different” was a very common theme. And maybe it will still end up being different. It’s only one game. (Anyone not “buying in” whole hog was often called “negative”, lol)
• Last night had a new cast of players on D but unfortunately had a lot of the same problems as last year. People lost in coverage, clueless looks and the inability to get a critical stop.
• New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker was practically fitted for a gold jacket this summer despite being 34, and a rookie DC never having called a game in his young life. He WILL need some patience of which there is none.
• Hate to say it but when it has been a three decade drought, patience is not something fans should be asked to give when the guys MOST responsible for this drought have zero accountability.
• AND…when your QB starts talking SB in July, maybe it’s time to tap the brakes and just focus on winning the next game.

BOTTOM LINE : Expectations probably exceeded capability. Surprise!
Here are some hard truths:

• The worst defense in the NFL in 2025 was always going to be a work in progress.
• If this defense had been mediocre last year and we added talent, it could become “good” this year.
• But this defense was awful the last two years. It may take more than a TC and PS to make this defense even middle of the pack.

Some change takes time. Should this fan base be patient? I think it’s completely understandable if many fans have zero patience. But this team will not be fixed with a draft and a new DC overnight. That was never “realistic”.

Folks, NFL teams are never forged in one game. We have 16 more of these. Will they be better? I don’t know. Time will tell.

But I do hope there is more patience - NOT for the leaders and players of this team. But for each other as Cowboys fans. If you were mad last night, you have every right to be. Direct your anger to the people running this thing…not each other.

Who's to blame for expectations

 

[75boyz]

When you have even Collingsworth criticizing the defensive calls it says a lot about Parker’s DC skills. Not very encouraging. The scary part is that maybe these defensive players aren’t very good either. I believe we’re in for a very long season.

They're better than last year's bunch. Just not by the night and day difference many of the so called experts here projected them to be.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Last night’s results from the 28-20 loss to the giants led to a level of anger and frustration I haven’t seen around here since the horrific loss to the packers in the playoffs in Jan, 2024. It’s usually dark after a Cowboys loss but last night had a little something extra in it.

And I believe it’s completely understandable and explainable. Here are some of the reasons for the level of fan anger during and after last night’s game:

• The fan buy-in this off-season was the highest I’ve seen in a few years. “This year feels different” was a very common theme. And maybe it will still end up being different. It’s only one game. (Anyone not “buying in” whole hog was often called “negative”, lol)
• Last night had a new cast of players on D but unfortunately had a lot of the same problems as last year. People lost in coverage, clueless looks and the inability to get a critical stop.
• New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker was practically fitted for a gold jacket this summer despite being 34, and a rookie DC never having called a game in his young life. He WILL need some patience of which there is none.
• Hate to say it but when it has been a three decade drought, patience is not something fans should be asked to give when the guys MOST responsible for this drought have zero accountability.
• AND…when your QB starts talking SB in July, maybe it’s time to tap the brakes and just focus on winning the next game.

BOTTOM LINE : Expectations probably exceeded capability. Surprise!
Here are some hard truths:

• The worst defense in the NFL in 2025 was always going to be a work in progress.
• If this defense had been mediocre last year and we added talent, it could become “good” this year.
• But this defense was awful the last two years. It may take more than a TC and PS to make this defense even middle of the pack.

Some change takes time. Should this fan base be patient? I think it’s completely understandable if many fans have zero patience. But this team will not be fixed with a draft and a new DC overnight. That was never “realistic”.

Folks, NFL teams are never forged in one game. We have 16 more of these. Will they be better? I don’t know. Time will tell.

But I do hope there is more patience - NOT for the leaders and players of this team. But for each other as Cowboys fans. If you were mad last night, you have every right to be. Direct your anger to the people running this thing…not each other.

Bravo!
Hype, bluster and a defensive genius.
What could possibly go wrong?

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Disappointed is the word. What got me going was the lack of coaching. I was expecting more. I normally don't get riled up and much less post. I had the expected haters, calling me out, but I was pleasantly surprised as to the real knowledge of the game that many of our zoners have. Especially those that agreed with me. Lol
But, seriously, a young coach like CP,.regardless of his pedigree or knowledge, is gonna need someone to hold him by the hand for a bit. This could serve as a wakeup call and bring him back down to earth, or it could break him. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm surprised in Schotty not helping him more on the sidelines, but like I said, it's very hard to do that when you're calling plays

LOL

 

[Creeper]

Last night’s results from the 28-20 loss to the giants led to a level of anger and frustration I haven’t seen around here since the horrific loss to the packers in the playoffs in Jan, 2024. It’s usually dark after a Cowboys loss but last night had a little something extra in it.

And I believe it’s completely understandable and explainable. Here are some of the reasons for the level of fan anger during and after last night’s game:

• The fan buy-in this off-season was the highest I’ve seen in a few years. “This year feels different” was a very common theme. And maybe it will still end up being different. It’s only one game. (Anyone not “buying in” whole hog was often called “negative”, lol)
• Last night had a new cast of players on D but unfortunately had a lot of the same problems as last year. People lost in coverage, clueless looks and the inability to get a critical stop.
• New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker was practically fitted for a gold jacket this summer despite being 34, and a rookie DC never having called a game in his young life. He WILL need some patience of which there is none.
• Hate to say it but when it has been a three decade drought, patience is not something fans should be asked to give when the guys MOST responsible for this drought have zero accountability.
• AND…when your QB starts talking SB in July, maybe it’s time to tap the brakes and just focus on winning the next game.

BOTTOM LINE : Expectations probably exceeded capability. Surprise!
Here are some hard truths:

• The worst defense in the NFL in 2025 was always going to be a work in progress.
• If this defense had been mediocre last year and we added talent, it could become “good” this year.
• But this defense was awful the last two years. It may take more than a TC and PS to make this defense even middle of the pack.

Some change takes time. Should this fan base be patient? I think it’s completely understandable if many fans have zero patience. But this team will not be fixed with a draft and a new DC overnight. That was never “realistic”.

Folks, NFL teams are never forged in one game. We have 16 more of these. Will they be better? I don’t know. Time will tell.

But I do hope there is more patience - NOT for the leaders and players of this team. But for each other as Cowboys fans. If you were mad last night, you have every right to be. Direct your anger to the people running this thing…not each other.

I am proud to admit I did not eat the cheese and I never will as long as Jerry is in charge. I thought the Cowboys would lose. I gave them a 25% chance of winning.

However, even I did not expect them to be that bad on defense. Or on offense. The dropped passes, missed blocks, bad throws all contributed to a lackluster performance. But, They did score two TDs on their only two possessions in the second half, despite the constant miscues. That tells me the offense can be a lot better. We'll see.

The defense was, as you say, lost. But even so they had some chances. The strip sack of Dart just happened to fall right into the hands of an offensive lineman who had his back to the LOS. Skattebo fumbled and the ball bounced right back up to him. Likely fumbled right into the hands of another Giants player. With a little luck those balls go to Dallas, or even 2 of them, and maybe teh game turns out differently. That does not excuse the lack of pass coverage or a pass rush but it may be reason for hope. A little, anyway.

The questions abound. Are the Giants a good team? or the dirt show lots of experts expected? Did they just have a very good night? Did the Cowboys have just an awful night? The next two games will tell us a lot about both teams. However, I think the problems on defense are going to take more than a week to fix. I can see them focusing on cleaning up the defense against those swing passes but leaving something else wide open. I do not like that they could not cover the TEs all night. That might be a personnel issue and one they cannot solve easily

 

[StarLord]

Very reasonable, articulate take from Bob. I've come to expect nothing less.

So I've coming to this particular forum for 16 years now. Multiple times a day. I post way less, actually took me many years before I felt comfortable posting at all. I digress..

I get look up. Jerry, Stephen, Ping Pong Parcells (BS), McClay, etc. But I do want address something. There's a legitimate reason there's some anger at fellow posters.

Some of us, are what I'll call realists, skeptical, honestly, snake bitten.. but to some if we criticize losing 50 some journeyman coaches, or never called a game DCs, or highest ever paid QBs with degrees in BS, we're summarily dismissed or told we're not real fans, go root for the Eagles etc.

We're all frustrated with the product on the field first and foremost, but it's very frustrating to see the garbage we see, call it out, then get gaslit by some for pointing out the obvious.

Anyways lol, great post. /Rant off

 

[ksadler1]

Yeah yeah yeah...we know Jerry is the prime susoect.

But WHEN...do we hold these players accountable? They are grown men...professionals.

I've played pickup flag football with more passion, determination, and excellence.

While l agree with you, Jerry's family is the only constant thru all those failed seasons.

 

[StarLord]

One of my concerns about Schotty as a HC calling plays is his seeming detachment from the defensive side of the ball. Not because he doesn’t care, but because he’s immersed in calling plays.

I’m not usually a fan of the HC also being the playcaller on either side of the ball. There are exceptions who can do it well - Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVey, and Sean Payton. But those guys are probably HOF coaches who are commanders of men. Schotty does not have that aura.

When Kliff Kingsbury was a HC at both the college and pro level, his offenses were great because that’s what he coached. But he just passed off his defenses to coordinators and never seemed to care. Schotty has that air at times too. It doesn’t work.

I've been beating a drum for a year. I don't understand why fans are giving him a pass on a historically awful defense. He's not just the head coach of offense.

 

[nhcowboyfan]

Last night’s results from the 28-20 loss to the giants led to a level of anger and frustration I haven’t seen around here since the horrific loss to the packers in the playoffs in Jan, 2024. It’s usually dark after a Cowboys loss but last night had a little something extra in it.

And I believe it’s completely understandable and explainable. Here are some of the reasons for the level of fan anger during and after last night’s game:

• The fan buy-in this off-season was the highest I’ve seen in a few years. “This year feels different” was a very common theme. And maybe it will still end up being different. It’s only one game. (Anyone not “buying in” whole hog was often called “negative”, lol)
• Last night had a new cast of players on D but unfortunately had a lot of the same problems as last year. People lost in coverage, clueless looks and the inability to get a critical stop.
• New Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker was practically fitted for a gold jacket this summer despite being 34, and a rookie DC never having called a game in his young life. He WILL need some patience of which there is none.
• Hate to say it but when it has been a three decade drought, patience is not something fans should be asked to give when the guys MOST responsible for this drought have zero accountability.
• AND…when your QB starts talking SB in July, maybe it’s time to tap the brakes and just focus on winning the next game.

BOTTOM LINE : Expectations probably exceeded capability. Surprise!
Here are some hard truths:

• The worst defense in the NFL in 2025 was always going to be a work in progress.
• If this defense had been mediocre last year and we added talent, it could become “good” this year.
• But this defense was awful the last two years. It may take more than a TC and PS to make this defense even middle of the pack.

Some change takes time. Should this fan base be patient? I think it’s completely understandable if many fans have zero patience. But this team will not be fixed with a draft and a new DC overnight. That was never “realistic”.

Folks, NFL teams are never forged in one game. We have 16 more of these. Will they be better? I don’t know. Time will tell.

But I do hope there is more patience - NOT for the leaders and players of this team. But for each other as Cowboys fans. If you were mad last night, you have every right to be. Direct your anger to the people running this thing…not each other.

As always Bob, great post. Wanted to bring up a point from a thread you posted not so long ago, whereby teams that achieve certain trends are apt to win. These include 1) scoring first; 2) having a lead at halftime; 3) scoring first coming out of the half; and 4) having the lead going into the 4th quarter. If I got these four correct, then last night the Giants went check, check, check, and checkmate.

 

[Gambit]

I was fine last night.

Then I slept and woke just flabbergasted how you can let a team run the exact same passing play to the flat have have no one around the receiver.

Leaving Likely wide open in endzone.

I didn't expect we'd be top defense week one or 17, but I did expect a semblance of the defense we were promised. They played daft zone all night long. Light in box? Afraid to let Nabers past them.

The rebuild isn't done we need a vet LB, a pass rusher and I dont think Bland is right fit for system. On the Likely TD, Scotty said it was a match quartets breakdown and it just seems that was Blands error.

CP is young
The players on D are young. I believe they will eventually gel. But that was horrible last night.

 

[Aven8]

While injuries are real not playing the D in PS for a few series might count us a few games. Too many new players and a new scheme is just ridiculous not to get reps. Practicing against your own team is not the same as live full blown football. Even in the PS.

It’s going to take a month to even get this thing ready IMO.

 

[pitt33]

When you have even Collingsworth criticizing the defensive calls it says a lot about Parker’s DC skills. Not very encouraging. The scary part is that maybe these defensive players aren’t very good either. I believe we’re in for a very long season.

I think this team is in for a long season as well.

Parker is in over his head. That man made zero adjustments.

 

[ArtClink]

If Jerry ever wins a championship again, he will deserve no credit.

Why? Because he is LITERALLY the only GM to have (currently) 31 failed tries at the craps table without consequences. No other owner in sports would give an unlimited number of failed tries before winning something on the field.

GMs of successful sports teams are expected to win a championship within 4-5 years or they are shown the door.

So if blind squirrel Jones ever finds a nut it won’t be because he worked so hard and skillfully to win. It will be because on his umpteenth roll of the dice he finally rolled boxcars.

Perfect analogy and isn’t Jerry the only GM in NFL history with zero accountability?

Jerry’s hubris reminds of a story when my oldest son was in middle school. He did his chores to save money up to get an Estes Rocket. Then we took it to the park and shortly before launch, some older, obnoxious kid came up and asked us if he could push the button!

So my son had worked hard and saved his money to launch his rocket and some lazy, entitled kid thought we’d let him push the button.

So, my son and I talked and proposed that the kid could push the button if he paid my son $20 lol! Well, that kid said he was gonna go & ask his mom and as soon as he started walking away, my son pushed the launch button!

 

[triplets_93]

The explainer quotes from the Coach today is all pablum that I've heard before.

"Adversity"

"Overcoming Adversity"

"We'll do better."

"It's just one game."

"It's a long season"

Here's a collection for takes from internet social media: (NSFW)