THE APEX TIMES
Coach Brian Schottenheimer pointed to a “tale of two halves” and isolated key second-half breakdowns, including a late coverage mental error that helped set up Michael Wilson’s go-ahead touchdown in the Cardinals’ overtime win.
The Cowboys’ film review of their 33-30 overtime loss to the Cardinals centered on one theme, “a tale of two halves,” with Dallas’ defense playing its best two quarters of the season early and then allowing four straight touchdown drives to finish the game.
In the first half, the Cowboys forced two turnovers, held Arizona to three points, and got consistent backfield pressure on quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Dallas’ offense scored 14 points, and the Cowboys led by 11 heading into the later stages of the game.
The shift accelerated after Gardner Minshew entered at quarterback for Arizona, but Dallas’ staff highlighted that it started with the running game. Tyler Allgeier, with Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight injured during the game, broke off a 63-yard run up the middle for a touchdown to make it a one-score game.
Schottenheimer’s review also identified a late-game coverage mistake in the final minute. With 1:05 left and no timeouts, Arizona marched to Dallas’ 13-yard line with 10 seconds remaining, and on the deciding play Michael Wilson was left alone up the seam for a touchdown catch that gave the Cardinals a chance to win.
Dallas’ coach called that Wilson score a “mental error” from the secondary, and the review also noted that Chandler Ryland missed the extra point after the touchdown, forcing overtime. In overtime, the Cowboys’ offense failed to get a first down to set up a field-goal attempt.
On the broader issue of run defense, Dallas said its rushing performance changed significantly from a week earlier, when it generated 200 rushing yards against Philadelphia. Against Arizona, Dallas managed 93 rushing yards on 39 carries, and the film review credited the Cardinals for pad level and winning run blocks, as well as quick gap-filling from their front and second levels.
In overtime, the Cowboys’ first snap came on a duo run, but the review described Arizona holding the edges and the interior, with linebackers able to come downhill, limiting Williams to two yards and leaving Dallas unable to build momentum.