‘No ethical victories’ for Cowboys in Schottenheimer’s debut

FRISCO, Texas — Coach Brian Schottenheimer was disillusioned however not defeated after the Dallas Cowboys‘ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.

He was happy with the struggle. He was happy with the trouble. He was happy with the assumption. However he is aware of what issues most is Eagles 24, Cowboys 20.

A lot in order that he used the phrase “no ethical victories” on 4 separate events in his postgame information convention.

“I do not discover any ethical victories when this crew’s constructed on a tradition that is all about successful,” Schottenheimer stated after his head teaching debut. “You do not discover ethical victories in shedding.”

However you’ll find issues that may flip shut losses into victories beginning in Week 2 in opposition to the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium (1 p.m. ET, Fox).

“I’m inspired,” proprietor and common supervisor Jerry Jones stated. “And I am inspired by the meat on the bone, not my regular optimism. These guys performed laborious. They performed good. They performed constantly.”

The offense had 20 first-half factors, scoring on all 4 possessions. Operating again Javonte Williams grew to become the primary Cowboy with two dashing touchdowns in his debut since Herschel Walker in 1986, in line with ESPN Analysis. CeeDee Lamb had 110 receiving yards.

The protection restricted the Eagles to a few factors within the second half and gave up solely two performs of 20 or extra yards. Eagles big-play receiver A.J. Brown was restricted to at least one catch.

However there’s additionally a flip facet.

The offense did not rating a degree within the second half. RB Miles Sanders misplaced a fumble contained in the Eagles’ 10. Lamb dropped three passes, together with two within the fourth quarter when the Cowboys have been trying to take the lead.

The run protection allowed 123 dashing yards within the first half. Quarterback Jalen Hurts had two dashing touchdowns and picked up 62 yards. Dallas recorded just one sack, with star edge rusher Micah Parsons just lately traded to the Packers, and didn’t create a takeaway.

“We have simply bought to play somewhat bit extra complementary,” Prescott stated. “And what I imply by that’s protection will get some stops within the first half, and we rating factors within the second half. Then we will be happy with the result of this sport.”

With 3:02 remaining, the Cowboys had an opportunity to drag off the “fairy story,” as Jones referred to as the potential upset. Prescott had the chance for a go-ahead drive within the fourth quarter. If not for a Lamb drop, Prescott could have had his twenty fourth game-winning drive within the fourth quarter or extra time.

“If we might have each sport we play this 12 months right down to the place we have got that ball and bought it within the arms of the folks we had it in,” Jones stated, “we will win lots of video games.”

How did Lamb spend his Friday, the day after the loss to the Eagles? About eight hours after a 5 a.m. return from Philadelphia, he was at The Star catching passes off the Jugs machine.

“That is the type of stuff that will get me fired up, and that is why he was voted a captain and can do nice issues for us the remainder of the 12 months,” Schottenheimer stated.

Getting that first win Sunday in opposition to the Giants is not precisely a should, however a loss would not solely imply an 0-2 begin for the primary time since 2010 — it could imply an 0-2 begin within the NFC East.

However when the gamers arrived Monday, there was a evaluation of the Eagles loss in what Schottenheimer calls “Good, Higher, How.”

“We’ll discuss what we did good, what do we have to do higher, after which the issues we have to do higher; how do you do this,” Schottenheimer stated. “Why do you do this? Once more, it is a 17-round title struggle that you have to qualify for the postseason, and so if I am actually, actually excessive or actually, actually low once we lose, then I am not doing my job because the chief.”

After lunch, the employees mentioned their subsequent opponent, the Giants, with the gamers.

Spherical 2 is six days away.