Blogging The Boys - Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2022 NFL Week 1 Dallas Cowboys, all the time...since 2005.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47663/Picture_4.png2022-09-12T21:30:00-05:00http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/rss/stream/231053752022-09-12T21:30:00-05:002022-09-12T21:30:00-05:00Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: The good, the bad, and the ugly from Week 1
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uVXDrczImkyPd6Z3Tdg85WtM990=/0x0:3302x2201/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71359618/usa_today_19032632.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The highs and lows for the Cowboys in the season opener.</p> <p id="bZtS8x">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> 19-3 loss at the hands of the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in the 2022 season opener wasn’t all that unexpected, however, the aftermath of that defeat could have a negative ripple effect for the rest of the season.</p>
<p id="VXI3Ix">Anyway you choose to look at it, Dallas didn’t play all that well in Week 1. Offensively they couldn’t really get anything going in the running or passing game, but on the defensive side of the ball they showed a lot of promise by keeping Tom Brady and company in check for the majority of the game. Overall though, there is still a lot of work to do in all three phases of the game.</p>
<p id="9Qt4p6">Like in a typical game, there was some good, some bad, and some ugly mixed in as well for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. Today, we’re going to identify and discuss one aspect of the game for each category.</p>
<h3 id="Vo2Tpl">
<strong>THE GOOD</strong>: Micah Parsons</h3>
<p id="UpgD1D">Defensively, the Dallas Cowboys did what they needed to do in order to keep the game close. Other than the one touchdown to Mike Evans, and surrendering over 100 rushing yards to Leonard Fournette, they played pretty well considering the talent Tom Brady had at his disposal. But, it was Micah Parsons who made the biggest impact for the Cowboys Sunday night.</p>
<p id="baJwgh">The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year picked up where he left off last season. The stat line will show he had just four tackles on the night, but it was his effectiveness as a pass rusher that had the biggest impact. Despite Tom Brady getting the ball quickly all night, No. 11 was still able to sack him twice, his first double-digit sack game of the season. If he keeps this up, he could be the next all-time leading QB sack leader.</p>
<h3 id="M4R8P6">
<strong>THE BAD</strong>: Injuries</h3>
<p id="2BTf9T">If playing poorly and losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022 season opener wasn’t bad enough, the injuries the Dallas Cowboys sustained Sunday night make the loss even worse. Dak Prescott, Connor McGovern, and Jayron Kearse all left Sunday’s matchup worse than they entered it, and all three could miss a few weeks due to the severity of their injuries. This is less than ideal considering the lack of depth behind each of them.</p>
<p id="qCWVbp">Injuries happen in the NFL, but to lose three starters, especially your starting quarterback, makes the season outlook for the Dallas Cowboys extremely worrisome. Dallas will now have to rely on Cooper Rush and several other backups to lead the way for the next several weeks. Depending on how these players perform, it could make or break the Cowboys season before it really even got started.</p>
<h3 id="9j3fFy">
<strong>THE UGLY</strong>: Offensive production, lack thereof</h3>
<p id="B6kVU1">Whether it was Kellen Moore’s game plan/play-calling, execution, or the penalties the Dallas Cowboys piled up, Dallas’ offense looked nothing like the high-scoring unit we saw from the season ago. There were encouraging signs in the running game, and maybe a few flashes in the passing game, but overall this unit failed dramatically to live up to expectations and may not anytime soon with Dak Prescott expected to miss several weeks now.</p>
<p id="LfEbau">Kellen Moore may be the next young up-and-coming head coach candidate, but he absolutely has to establish an offensive identity for the Cowboys this season. Establishing the running game early and often might be the best course of action moving forward with Prescott out, however, a balanced running/passing attack could work as well. What he decides to do from here on out could be everything for the Cowboys this season.</p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348712/dallas-cowboys-tampa-bay-buccaneers-good-bad-week-1-micah-parsons-dak-prescott-injury-kellen-mooreBrian_Martin2022-09-12T18:00:00-05:002022-09-12T18:00:00-05:00Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers stock report: A flat performance with no signs of life
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/W8yFrNQcR13POMvSXgBn3jhtUq4=/0x0:3160x2107/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71359073/usa_today_19032524.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sunday night went about as bad as is could have possibly gone for the Cowboys.</p> <p id="Um36g9">Being as objective and rational as possible here, it is difficult to imagine a way in which Sunday night could have gone more poorly for the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>.</p>
<p id="OickD3">With one game left to go the Cowboys are the <em>only </em>team in the NFL who has yet to score a touchdown this season and the performance itself would have been enough reason to eye the pitchforks in the closet; however, disaster was waiting for the team in the game’s final moments with bad news on the injury front, <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/11/23348418/report-dak-prescott-will-miss-several-weeks-hand-injury-surgery-needed-dallas-cowboys-cooper-rush">particularly involving Dak Prescott</a>.</p>
<div id="0u1OgD"><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP7312188921" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<h5 id="P6NiLD">
<em>We discussed everything that happened on Sunday night on The Postgame on the Blogging The Boys podcast network. Make sure to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss any of our shows! </em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blogging-the-boys-for-dallas-cowboys-fans/id1169821159"><em>Apple devices can subscribe here</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz5DmRtIGDYws8tv15c6v"><em>Spotify users can subscribe here</em></a><em>.</em>
</h5>
<p id="asdhP4">Losing your franchise quarterback is tough enough on an offense, but the Cowboys didn’t exactly show signs of life throughout their loss to the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a>.</p>
<p id="WKhbCk">There were mostly bad things throughout Sunday’s night’s game (if you want to even call it a game). Here is our first stock report of the 2022 Dallas Cowboys season.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PdW7sB">
<h3 id="zQW5wV">Stock Up: Micah Parsons</h3>
<p id="krRUhA">Two sacks against Tom Brady are certainly something to be proud of.</p>
<p id="BJKWIB">Defensively the Cowboys kept themselves in the game until the water broke through the dam, and Micah Parsons was a huge reason for that. We have talked a lot about the inevitable regression coming as far as volume statistics are concerned but it was great to see Parsons pick up where he left off last season.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Rxh8xd">
<h3 id="Twpilb">Stock Up: Donovan Wilson</h3>
<p id="gmYuVZ">The Cowboys curiously left Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu out of this game, but Donovan Wilson reminded everyone why he is an elder statesmen when he picked off Tom Brady. If you generate a turnover your stock automatically goes up.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="HQFxfd">
<h3 id="RBIXpb">Stock Up: Brett Maher</h3>
<p id="ICrK4y">He has never missed a field goal while wearing number 19 for the Dallas Cowboys.</p>
<p id="OBBjQt">Positivity! </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="4kBYUz">
<h3 id="c20taz">Stock Down: Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones</h3>
<p id="ayzn9L">We spent all of the offseason talking about the lack of offensive line depth on this team and it was challenged to an embarrassing degree.</p>
<p id="OPITGL">We spent all of the offseason talking about the lack of wide receiver depth on this team and it was challenged to an embarrassing degree.</p>
<p id="MguBKo">The Cowboys made this bed of their own decisions and saw all of their pride spill itself out in embarrassing fashion throughout this “contest” against the Buccaneers. There were problems all over the field but it was clear as day - and it was even highlighted by Cris Collinsworth on the NBC broadcast - how ill-prepared the Cowboys made themselves for this season.</p>
<p id="ZMbs5T">Everybody in the world saw how poorly this team went about getting ready for this whole thing and whether out of ignorance or arrogance, the front office ignored them all.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="1EEcaP">
<h3 id="uCDhqv">Stock Down: Kellen Moore</h3>
<p id="NrUCZR">Kellen Moorer, if you are reading this, you don’t <em>have </em>to find the most complicated ways in the world to give Tony Pollard the ball. Just hand it to him. Throw it to him. Keep it simple.</p>
<p id="Z6nLsm">The Cowboys tried to force some trickery into the game with Pollard early on and it blew up in Moore’s face. Of course they decided to turtle up and regress as we have seen many times in the Kellen Moore era. When are they going to let this thing be fully and totally loose?</p>
<p id="WHGFRM">By the way, the Cowboys told us many times that they were going to involve KaVontae Turpin in the offense plenty. He did not have a single offensive touch against the Buccaneers. Not one.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sDWUS2">
<h3 id="uTvM73">Stock Down: Dak Prescott</h3>
<p id="am09By">The injury is a separate thing here, so keeping that separate it should be said that Dak Prescott played pretty badly while in the game.</p>
<p id="uFrjCq">Now you can make a strong argument that the Cowboys did their franchise quarterback no favors by giving him a makeshift offensive line and one of the worst receiver groups in the NFL to work with. Tampa Bay was completely unafraid of any non-CeeDee Lamb option which left Dak to play hero and that is obviously a difficult role to pull off.</p>
<p id="RP58fM">But there were a lot of forced passes and some glaring mistakes. It was all bad.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="UlR2Iz">
<h3 id="KIMBvC">Stock Down: CeeDee Lamb</h3>
<p id="ra4nng">Just like with Prescott, it is difficult to place an enormous amount of blame at Lamb’s feet, but this is about stock and he did not exactly live up to any sort of hype.</p>
<p id="QCffQJ">Lamb was targeted 11 times against the Buccaneers and had only two catches for 29 yards. The Cowboys banked on him elevating their entire offense and he did not live up to that challenge.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Kd43XF">
<h3 id="f6nznV">Stock Down: Terence Steele</h3>
<p id="ycswiz">At one point in time, Terence Steele had more penalties by himself than the Buccaneers had as a team. There are many places to point fingers as a result of Sunday night but Steele was another bet that the Cowboys made over the offseason.</p>
<p id="7HI19W">He is still a young player but he did not have his best game on Sunday.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tKqXq4">
<h3 id="4bRDxP">Stock Down: Team Health</h3>
<p id="4suRLX">The Cowboys entered this game with Tyron Smith and James Washington on injured reserve. Michael Gallup is not there and is obviously not 100%.</p>
<p id="vSzmDl">Dak Prescott is now out for the foreseeable future. We will see what the deal is with Connor McGovern and if all truly is well with Jayron Kearse. This felt a lot like the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> game in 2008 when Dallas lost Tony Romo, Felix Jones, and Matt McBriar in what felt like one fell swoop.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5pCu4z">
<h3 id="gUTwAo">Stock Down: The 2022 Season</h3>
<p id="YakUrm">Back to our talking point at the beginning here - how is it possible that things get better for the Cowboys moving forward? Almost all would agree that Cooper Rush is a significant step backwards and this offense was dreadful with Prescott commanding it.</p>
<p id="OCOQBs"><a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348779/dallas-cowboys-dak-prescott-expected-to-miss-6-8-weeks-with-fractured-above-the-thumb-cooper-rush">It was reported late Sunday night</a> that Dak is expected to miss 6-8 weeks as a result of his surgery. These are the next eight weeks for this team:</p>
<ul>
<li id="he5eja"><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a></li>
<li id="oJaI4C">at <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>
</li>
<li id="WGwmII">Washington Commanders</li>
<li id="fooat3">at <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>
</li>
<li id="34TfOr">at <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>
</li>
<li id="YoI9fo"><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a></li>
<li id="xmI0ez"><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a></li>
<li id="K8lWi9">BYE</li>
</ul>
<p id="z1qdmJ">If Dak missed that entire stretch he would return for a road game against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, but how many games could this team win without him? The Bengals lost on Sunday but almost didn’t. There are three division games in there (two on the road) including a trip to visit the remaining <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> Champion Los Angeles Rams. Both the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears look improved.</p>
<p id="17IpLh">Stock is very down on this season as a whole, and we are barely finishing the first week.</p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348156/dallas-cowboys-tampa-bay-buccaneers-stock-report-flat-performance-dak-prescott-injury-micah-parsonsRJ Ochoa2022-09-12T14:30:00-05:002022-09-12T14:30:00-05:00Cowboys vs Bucs: Dallas offense asks too much from Prescott, loses QB to hand injury
<figure>
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dPX7reIO8Uh0sT9StyOzgmFf1rw=/0x0:3377x2251/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71357986/1422919173.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cowboys weren’t competitive with Dak Prescott on the field against Brady and the Bucs, and won’t have their QB1 for several weeks.</p> <p id="YMHUNj">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> season opening loss to the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a> proved that Dak Prescott is being asked to carry too much for an offense that failed to find the end zone,<a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348779/dallas-cowboys-dak-prescott-expected-to-miss-6-8-weeks-with-fractured-above-the-thumb-cooper-rush"> and now the team will be without their starting quarterback for 6-8 weeks.</a> Prescott injured his hand late in the loss and didn’t return, with Mike McCarthy looking very displeased when getting an update from the training staff on <em>Sunday Night Football</em>. </p>
<p id="a322ID">The Cowboys primetime loss puts them at 0-1 and the bottom of the NFC East, where the Giants, Eagles, and Commanders all won on Sunday. The Cowboys were determined all offseason to prove they’re a top team in the entire NFC, but the talent they’ve lost would say otherwise. </p>
<p id="XZiM2w">Tom Brady maintained his perfect record against the Cowboys, building a 12-3 lead at halftime that already felt mountainous for a struggling Cowboys offense to overcome. Mike Evans added a third-quarter touchdown against a Dallas defense that did everything they could to keep them in the game, but the Cowboys were stuck on the three points from their opening drive all night.</p>
<p id="mOVYGU">As we’ll do every Monday, here are some immediate takeaways on what we saw from the Cowboys against the Bucs: </p>
<ul><li id="EySvh4">The Cowboys defense made good on their offseason promise that Micah Parsons would stay as a hybrid player, and his best snaps were clearly in pass rush. With Jabril Cox inactive, the team needed Leighton Vander Esch to step up, which he did allowing Parsons to move around. Parsons’ two sacks working was the highlight of his night, but he also helped DeMarcus Lawrence get matchups against guards when lined up on the left side. </li></ul>
<p id="jyAyYu">Osa Odighizuwa was the defensive tackle lined up next to Parsons on his sacks and created penetration as well, but the Cowboys will need to find a balance in their rotation up front to play the run better than the 152 yards they gave up on the ground. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6ATkqFq9zOKeK3IuYGW7nYXt8z8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24014741/1422942831.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<ul><li id="uxrRBS">Another offseason talking point was Tony Pollard having a bigger role in the offense, and while this was certainly the case, the Cowboys didn’t find much success on the gadget plays they used Pollard for. New wide receiver and kick returner KaVontae Turpin was active instead of rookie Jalen Tolbert, and may be better suited for the type of plays they designed for Pollard. </li></ul>
<p id="Jrhbqf">Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott splitting reps should mean Pollard getting similar opportunities to carry the ball or catch it out of the backfield, with Elliott being the preferred back on blocking snaps. These blocking reps will be much more important with Cooper Rush at quarterback, who took a sack on a long down-and-distance play when Pollard was beat on a block. Beyond CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys best players with the ball in their hands likely aren’t receivers, with Pollard and Dalton Schultz needing to carry the load.</p>
<ul>
<li id="sPN52W">Dennis Houston getting the start in this first game is exactly the type of progression the Cowboys are counting on to be competitive, but his route on Prescott’s interception wasn’t executed well. The Cowboys had an underneath throw open with a good concept between Lamb and Noah Brown, but Houston as the outside receiver got pinned to the sideline and didn’t draw the defense away from the middle of the field. Prescott’s pass was the type of tight window throw he was forced to make all night, and Antoine Winfield Jr. made the play on it.</li>
<li id="7u9BUX">The Cowboys front office doesn’t have much to hang their hat on when it comes to how their offseason decisions looked on the field in week one, but typically first-round picks work out for this team. Tyler Smith’s first start at left tackle was encouraging, though he may be asked to go back to left guard where he worked in training camp with Connor McGovern out. Smith’s hand play looked as strong as it did at guard, with his length making up for less natural footwork. </li>
</ul>
<p id="RSFMYp">The Cowboys involved their tight ends in the run game a lot, and using these big formations that allow Smith to get downhill may be one of their best looks. Though their “future” at left tackle came well before it was expected, the Cowboys can worry just a little less about Tyron Smith’s progress based on what they saw from Tyler Smith against the Bucs.</p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23346564/dallas-cowboys-tampa-bay-bucs-offense-ask-too-much-dak-prescott-hand-injury-tyler-smith-tony-pollardSean Martin2022-09-12T12:40:38-05:002022-09-12T12:40:38-05:00Report: Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse expected to miss a few weeks with MCL sprain
<figure>
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OfhdmgVplR-66NNNLGaJ0yPAyGo=/0x0:3981x2654/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71357321/1422939091.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>An update on Jayron Kearse’s health status.</p> <p id="ejCZbS">Things continue to go poorly for the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>.</p>
<p id="NVuVvT">Following a dreadful season-opening loss to the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> the Cowboys found out that quarterback Dak Prescott needs surgery on his thumb and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.</p>
<p id="hdB2Cj">What’s more is the Cowboys are also seemingly going to be without guard Connor McGovern for a while as he has a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss “<a href="https://twitter.com/robphillips3/status/1569370070576406530">a week or two</a>.”</p>
<p id="5vIiYg">You know what they say though, when it rains it pours. Safety Jayron Kearse reportedly left Sunday’s game on crutches and Monday brought news that he has an MCL sprain and is expected to miss a few weeks.</p>
<div id="EZh77r">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> safety Jayron Kearse expected to miss a few weeks with an MCL sprain. Good news is that the ligament remains intact.</p>— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1569376869174108162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="SSwl4T">Not to at all minimize the loss of Kearse, but safety is one of the position groups where the Cowboys have a bit of depth to rely on in a dependable way. Dallas left both Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu inactive on Sunday night so it is a safe bet that they will be called upon for the time being.</p>
<p id="IIiRhE"></p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23349366/report-dallas-cowboys-safety-jayron-kearse-knee-injury-expected-to-miss-a-few-weeks-mcl-sprainRJ Ochoa2022-09-12T10:00:00-05:002022-09-12T10:00:00-05:00Five plays that shaped the Cowboys’ embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers
<figure>
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vM_8MVzHG5tKG8OG3-JWX2ZCRgA=/0x0:3129x2086/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71356392/1422942831.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Could this game have gone any worse?</p> <p id="byOIa2">The long awaited rematch of last year’s thrilling Week 1 game between the Cowboys and <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a> came and went without any of the thrills of last year. Tampa Bay beat Dallas 19-3 in a pretty ugly, defense-heavy contest that immediately cast doubt in Cowboys fans’ minds, before completely extinguishing all hope for a successful year. </p>
<p id="dnzX3T">Given that the Cowboys spent most of the game trailing the Buccaneers, there weren’t many explosive plays in this one. But these five plays are the ones that told the story of this game. </p>
<p id="10HV8H"><strong>Connor McGovern exits with an injury, hurting an already thin OL</strong></p>
<p id="K7qxnX">Early in the game, the Cowboys offense came out and did exactly what they said they were going to do: run the ball. It worked, for the most part, and Dallas drove down the field before settling for a field goal. </p>
<p id="1nWk3H">After the Buccaneers tied things up, Dallas was doing it over again. Ezekiel Elliott rumbled forward for seven yards to start their next drive, but the first of many false start penalties on Terence Steele backed them up on the next play. After that, a quick incompletion brought up third down, but that wasn’t the biggest problem. </p>
<div id="yPICvO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More bad news for Dallas: Starting LG Connor McGovern suffered a high ankle sprain during tonight's game and will miss time. That's usually a 4-6 week injury.</p>— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1569167948668981250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="5YTswY">Connor McGovern injured his ankle and left the game, being replaced by Matt Farniok. That left the Cowboys incredibly thin on the offensive line, with no other interior linemen available. McGovern never returned, and the Buccaneers pass rush attacked Farniok all night long. McGovern was seen in a walking boot later, and could miss several weeks. </p>
<p id="egVLFq"><strong>Dak Prescott gets picked deep in his own territory</strong></p>
<p id="w7EFx4">It quickly became evident that the Cowboys offense was going to be in for a struggle, and Dak Prescott never looked comfortable with his stable of inexperienced receivers. After the Buccaneers missed their third field goal attempt, keeping it a 6-3 game, Dallas had an opportunity to strike back. </p>
<p id="Wj6cWM">It didn’t happen. An offensive pass interference penalty on CeeDee Lamb put them in a hole, and it wasn’t long before Prescott faced a third-and-ten at the Dallas 26. Facing pressure, Prescott rolled out of the pocket and then forced a terrible throw that was intercepted. </p>
<p id="5whsug">The turnover only led to three points for Tampa Bay, keeping it a one score game, but it seemingly punctuated just how bad this offense - and, in particular, its quarterback - was in this one. And things only got worse from there. </p>
<p id="6g7cm0"><strong>Mike Evans beats Anthony Brown on crucial third down</strong></p>
<p id="eL5czS">Credit belongs to the Cowboys defense for keeping them in this game all night despite a putrid showing from the offense. But even the defense had their moments of poor play, and the dam broke at a critical time. </p>
<p id="UOvZq6">Down 12-3 in the third quarter, the Dallas defense was facing a third and three at their own 35-yard line. They desperately needed a stop, something they’d been doing all night. But big Mike Evans ran a simple slant and Tom Brady hit him right in the numbers, making it nearly impossible for Anthony Brown to make a play. </p>
<p id="bKZaMo">Tampa Bay converted the first down on that play, and three plays later Evans was making a spectacular catch in the endzone for the only touchdown on the night. But it wouldn’t have been possible without that third-down conversion. </p>
<p id="tpB0rz"><strong>Dak Prescott, offense go three and out</strong></p>
<p id="gBCjIY">After failing on fourth down following Tampa Bay’s touchdown, the Cowboys seemed like their night was effectively over. But Donovan Wilson picked off Brady, offering the offense one last chance to turn things around. </p>
<p id="Qtjdsf">Instead they went three and out in short order. First, Elliott ran for a measly two yards. Then Prescott failed to connect with either Dennis Houston or Noah Brown on successive plays. Suddenly, after picking the ball off at midfield just a few seconds ago, the Cowboys were punting. </p>
<p id="h7mx8T">It’s hard to pile on Prescott now after how his night ended, but the quarterback had a really poor game that was only accentuated by the struggles of this inexperienced receiving corps. </p>
<p id="qI0I4x"><strong>Dak Prescott hurts his hand, potentially ends the season</strong></p>
<p id="CprNG5">It certainly seemed like Mike McCarthy was waiving the white flag when he opted to punt the ball at midfield, but the Cowboys were technically still playing a game. And after the defense forced yet another punt, Dallas got the ball at their own 14 with seven minutes left in the game. </p>
<div id="jae4v9">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s how Dak Prescott injured his hand <a href="https://t.co/UVhn4nMkUk">pic.twitter.com/UVhn4nMkUk</a></p>— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1569160951680716800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="dpcRuq">Then it happened. Prescott completed a pass to Brown for 22 yards, but as Prescott’s arm went forward his hand collided with the defender’s. Prescott seemed to be favoring it in between snaps on the next two plays, and then he went over to the sideline to get it looked at. Prescott went back to the locker room, and never returned. </p>
<p id="Xz02m9">It wasn’t too long after the game that Jerry Jones announced Prescott would require surgery and will be out several weeks, A more exact timeline will determine just how serious this is, but given how poorly this offense looked <em>with </em>Prescott on Sunday, any stretch of games without him will be devastating for this Cowboys team. </p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348401/five-plays-shaped-dallas-cowboys-embarrassing-loss-to-tampa-bay-buccaneers-dak-prescott-ceedee-lambDavid Howman2022-09-12T08:31:21-05:002022-09-12T08:31:21-05:00Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expected to miss 6-8 weeks with thumb injury
<figure>
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f7FoCJ7u-fB1hjOBrlNnfRgqHeg=/0x0:3261x2174/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71355974/1422942767.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cowboys finally have a timeline of Prescott’s injury.</p> <p id="ZUGtXr">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> opening game of the 2022 season turned into a disaster that will linger. Not only did they lsoe 19-3 to the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/11/23348418/report-dak-prescott-will-miss-several-weeks-hand-injury-surgery-needed-dallas-cowboys-cooper-rush">but it was reported after the game</a> they would lose starting quarterback Dak Prescott for at least “several weeks”. It turns out that several weeks<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34576451/dallas-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott-hand-exits-amid-woeful-loss-tampa-bay-buccaneers"> is closer to two months</a>.</p>
<p id="CbURaJ">The recovery time for Prescott after he has his hand surgery is expected to be 6-8 weeks <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34576451/dallas-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott-hand-exits-amid-woeful-loss-tampa-bay-buccaneers">accordingto sources</a> in Dallas. He will likely have a pin and plate but into his hand to stabilize the fracture. Prescott will be moved to injured reserve/designated to return if that’s the case.</p>
<p id="Mlqlw9">In the meantime, the Cowboys still have to paly football as the NFL waits for no injury. Cooper Rush is the next man up, and although he won a game on the road last year againstthe <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, there is not a lot of belief outside of the Cowboys organization in the quarterback. The Cowboys schedule over the expected absence of Prescott looks like this:</p>
<p id="TableBase">Week 2 Cincinnati </p>
<p id="Bg37Ud">Wee 3 @ <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a></p>
<p id="s2eiCi">Week 4 Washignton</p>
<p id="PW5d21">Week 5 @ <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">L.A. Rams</a></p>
<p id="jm7cGT">Week 6 @ Philadelphia</p>
<p id="QEl4Vm">Week 7 Detroit</p>
<p id="DdfQ8a">Week 8 Chicago</p>
<p id="qLlJ4N">Week 9 Bye</p>
<p id="oT4VHA">It is pretty obvious that after the bye week is the first time we will see Dak Prescott back under center. Until then, it is up to Rush to keep the Cowboys afloat and with a chance to fight for the playoffs upon Prescott’s return. The way the offense looked last night for Dallas, that is a tall order. </p>
<p id="tdTaeo"></p>
<p id="yAo89b"></p>
<p id="ad_is_1662988889362"></p>
<p id="6qtElM"></p>
<p id="NKvMeW"></p>
<p id="vkbb6z"></p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348779/dallas-cowboys-dak-prescott-expected-to-miss-6-8-weeks-with-fractured-above-the-thumb-cooper-rushDavid Halprin2022-09-12T08:00:00-05:002022-09-12T08:00:00-05:00Monday morning coffee: Cowboys seem utterly lost after losing game and Dak
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kL5e6JeG5Mf3RlASMCThTG8KSpE=/0x0:4056x2704/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71355849/usa_today_19032352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dallas Cowboys just got manhandled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p> <p id="nSynfz">What a game. There really is no other way to put it. What a pathetic performance from the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>. Is there any other way to justify it? </p>
<p id="UqFBlz">To start things off. we’ll shine a light on a few positives, although the list is short. <a href="https://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys/status/1569132287857410057">Micah Parsons</a>, Tyler Smith, and Ezekiel Elliott all played well. Trevon Diggs had moments too, as did the whole defense. Leighton Vander Esch also made a few nice plays, but this game lacked anything to grab onto and left holes of nothingness for most. Now, for the negative. Strap in for this one!</p>
<p id="pLHXTC">This offense is subjectively and objectively <em>bad</em>. That was even before<a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/11/23348418/report-dak-prescott-will-miss-several-weeks-hand-injury-surgery-needed-dallas-cowboys-cooper-rush"> Dak’s injury and the news that he would miss time</a>. What a cherry on top of a really sad night. Not even to mention the injury news of Connor McGovern and Jayron Kearse. This team got lucky last year with injuries, and it has whacked them in the face one week into the new season. E</p>
<p id="ils6qr">This offense is lacking, though, with or without Dak Prescott. Lack of speed at receiver, lack of time in the pocket, lack of experience just about everywhere, lack of discipline which leads to penalties. Lacking is truly the only word to describe Sunday night’s efforts in what just might be a microscopic look into what is coming. </p>
<p id="WjMtNE">Most people attempt to head into the season with a shred of optimism. When greeted with <em>that </em>primetime showing, it is hard for that small sliver of optimism not to be shredded. Prescott did not impress at all, but it is hard to place all the blame there. It is hard to not just be in shambles after the injury news, but we’re trying to focus on the game that happened.</p>
<p id="vh365V">Losing to San Francisco last January was a wakeup call for many. A real gut punch, so to speak. That wakeup call ended in signing less than a handful of free agents and drafting a day two wide receiver that was inactive. </p>
<p id="aS5Nqj">Before the game even started, the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/11/23347519/cowboys-vs-buccaneers-inactives-list-for-week-1-revealed-jalen-tolbert-jayron-kearse-chris-godwin">inactive list</a> hardly made sense. Speaking in hypotheticals, if Tolbert were on a team with a loaded receiver room, like the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a>, him being inactive would merely be a measure. Him being inactive on a team with one active receiver that has crossed an NFL goal line? Seems impossible. Not for the Cowboys! In conjunction with that, Jabril Cox was inactive. After a strong training camp and preseason, many hoped he would be a part of the defensive rotation in the middle of the defense. He was not. </p>
<p id="jWDzXM">During the game, there was not a single offensive play that made you think about getting out of your seat. It just lacked any type of serious pop. There is so much blame to pass around. This just seems like a long, Cowboys nightmare that hasn’t stopped in what seems to be an eternity. </p>
<p id="LtNK48">The worst part is this offense does not feel like just an “Amari Cooper away”, circa 2018. It feels so lost and so weak that even a coveted offensive weapon wouldn't save the day. So, what is next? Well, technically the Bengals are next. Sitting at the bottom of the NFC East with a talented upcoming opponent and an injured quarterback, it seems unlikely that the Cowboys are going to host a victory Monday anytime soon. Without Dak, they are looking down the barrel of a top-5 pick next April. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stay optimistic about this team and it already has the feel of just a really sad season ahead. </p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348332/dallas-cowboys-seem-utterly-lost-after-losing-game-dak-prescott-injury-connor-mcgovern-jayron-kearsemattrizz2022-09-12T04:00:00-05:002022-09-12T04:00:00-05:00Cowboys news: Injuries don’t stop with just Dak Prescott in loss to Bucs
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XLjLMgu4uCwuvsaudU7dK-RDGMw=/181x0:5769x3725/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71355208/usa_today_19032288.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The bad news from the Cowboys first game of 2022.</p> <h3 id="imFwd5"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34576451/dallas-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott-hand-exits-amid-woeful-loss-tampa-bay-buccaneers">Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to have surgery on right thumb, out indefinitely - Todd Archer, ESPN</a></h3>
<p id="UihaKo">Of course the big story Is Dak Prescott’s injury, but he was just one of several Cowboys banged up. Still, his absence has the chance to derail a season. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="M3o1uL"> <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys">Dallas Cowboys</a> quarterback <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2577417/dak-prescott">Dak Prescott</a> will be out “several weeks” due to an injury to his thumb that requires surgery, owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday’s 19-3 loss to the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-buccaneers">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>.</p>
<p id="UIdTEl">Prescott jogged to the locker room late in the fourth quarter to get his right hand examined after he hit the hand of Buccaneers outside linebacker <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16967/shaquil-barrett">Shaq Barrett</a> and did not return. Jones said Prescott suffered a fracture near the thumb on his throwing hand.</p>
<p id="kExdkl">Prescott, who is now 2-5 in season openers in his career, completed 14 of 29 passes for 134 yards and was intercepted once and sacked twice while the Cowboys were held without a touchdown in a season opener for the first time since 2001.</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="QQS3Z4"><a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/12/dak-prescott-its-very-disappointing-but-injuries-happen/">Dak Prescott: It’s very disappointing, but injuries happen - Charean Willaims, PFT</a></h3>
<p id="IAOAPk">Dak and Jerry Jones discuss the injury.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="tTgopC">“Yeah, it’s very disappointing, but injuries happen,” Prescott said. “Can’t necessarily control it. Just unfortunate. I’m obviously going to miss some time, not be there for my team. That’s what hurts more than anything, especially after the start that we just put out there. I wanted to be able to respond and not necessarily having that opportunity for several weeks. Yeah, it’s unfortunate, but I’ll do what I’ve always done anytime adversity comes. Take it on head first and I’ll give my best, and I’m sure I’ll come out of this better.”</p>
<p id="EckULV">Prescott will miss multiple weeks, but the injury is not season ending.</p>
<p id="5gR8pH">“You have to look at the fact that, no, he is not out for the year in any way. He’ll be out several games, but not out for the year,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “Let’s just get in here and win some games and be there so we can compete for that playoff when the time comes.”</p>
<p id="nCRmOq">...</p>
<p id="PwwxjS">“Thought I jammed it,” Prescott said. “I mean, I’ve hit on however many bodies, a lot in my career, and never really had anything [except] maybe a jammed finger, and I actually thought that’s what it was. The next play I realized I couldn’t grip the ball, let the sideline know. Then, when I got off, I told the trainers the same thing. I said, ‘I can’t grip it. I feel like if you yank it, I’ll be OK,’ and I came in and got X-rays and things were different.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="3NtObH">
<a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-september-2022">Updates: Connor McGovern Injures Ankle vs. Bucs</a> - DallasCowboys.com</h3>
<p id="um3fVG">This was among the things that went wrong on Sunday night.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="kqgUEG"><strong>7:48 p.m.</strong> – Starting left tackle Connor McGovern injured his ankle on the Cowboys’ first offensive series against the Bucs and is questionable to return to Sunday’s game.</p>
<p id="0Zed7c">McGovern limped off the field with help from the Cowboys’ athletic training staff, but soon returned to the sideline testing out the ankle. Matt Farniok has replaced him at left guard.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="4Y5E4a">McGovern has the dreaded high ankle sprain and will miss time.</p>
<div id="WJRi63">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More bad news for Dallas: Starting LG Connor McGovern suffered a high ankle sprain during tonight's game and will miss time. That's usually a 4-6 week injury.</p>— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1569167948668981250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="hxPiwI">That wasn’t all. Jayron Kearse is also injured. </p>
<div id="dWUhxq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jayron Kearse is on crutches as he leaves the locker room.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/1569172057857867777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h3 id="ZdsmD3"><a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/on-2nd-thought-what-went-so-wrong-for-cowboys">On 2nd Thought: What Went So Wrong For Cowboys - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com</a></h3>
<p id="CgPo1E">It’s hard to even say everything that went wrong for the Cowboys.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="xpJ52J">The Cowboys’ offense was no match for the Bucs on this night.</p>
<p id="hlgonn">Sure, Tom Brady got another win against this franchise, but it was his defense that stole the show, leading to a 19-3 win.</p>
<p id="AJTBwl">Here’s a quick analysis from the Cowboys’ staff writers after the game:</p>
<p id="y2NwyI"><strong>Nick Eatman</strong>: Well, no one should be writing a piece called “on second thought” more than me. What a whiff on my part with this prediction. Just never imagined the offense being this bad, not with Dak Prescott running the show. Sure, there would be some issues with the Bucs’ defense, but figured they could put up a few points. And honestly, few points would’ve put them in position to win this game. Now, we have to wait and see what Dak’s situation will be. But the offense is going to be either really bad, or terribly bad – depending on this injury. Defensively, the Cowboys did a nice job and it looks like Parsons will be rushing off the edge more than playing linebacker. But the defense was just good. It has to be amazing if they’re gonna carry this offense.</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="uDSNja"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34537159/nfl-week-1-takeaways-learned-big-questions-every-game-future-team-outlooks#pitcin">NFL Week 1 takeaways: What we learned, big questions for every game and future team outlooks - ESPN</a></h3>
<p id="kVWDcp">The Cowboys opponent next week, the Bengals, had a rough go of it in Week 1.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="5hWAG4"><strong>What to know:</strong> Cincinnati’s offense picked up right where it left off last season. And that was the main culprit in an overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> in the season opener. It featured a slew of sacks and an inconsistent offense. Those things kept the Bengals from winning <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> LVI despite a very strong defensive effort, which the Bengals got again on Sunday. Cincinnati needs to get that issue resolved if it wants to defend its <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC championship</a>.</p>
<p id="Wd8uez"><strong>Should the Bengals be concerned about </strong><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3915511/joe-burrow"><strong>Joe Burrow</strong></a><strong>?</strong> Uh, no. Sure, Burrow objectively played his worst game since entering the league. He committed five turnovers — four interceptions and a lost fumble on a day when he was sacked six times. But Burrow’s history, strengths and the resolve he showed to lead the Bengals down the field at the end of the game show that there should be zero long-term concerns for the third-year player coming off an emergency appendectomy in July</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="dHEnH3"><strong>Blogging The Boys Podcast Network and YouTube Channel</strong></h2>
<p id="TVxqSe">We offer a different show every single day on the Blogging The Boys podcast network, and on weekdays we offer two different shows every single day.</p>
<ul>
<li id="W1pxZH"><em>Monday: 1st and 10 with Dave Sturchio, Tony Catalina, & Aidan Davis</em></li>
<li id="lHCRPY"><em>Monday: Hidden Yardage with Mark Lane and Sean Martin </em></li>
<li id="qapHHP"><em>Tuesday: The Writer’s Block with Jess Nevarez and Brandon Loree</em></li>
<li id="6c7mGV"><em>Tuesday: BTB Roundtable with various BTB Staffers</em></li>
<li id="khFXNG"><em>Wednesday: NFC East Mixtape with RJ Ochoa and Brandon Lee Gowton</em></li>
<li id="qZWABI"><em>Wednesday: Talkin’ The Star with Connor Livesay</em></li>
<li id="oyWJv4"><em>Thursday: The Ocho with RJ Ochoa</em></li>
<li id="IMVfKm"><em>Thursday: Ryled Up with Roy White and Tom Ryle</em></li>
<li id="l02Cur"><em>Friday: Girls Talkin’ Boys with Kelsey Charles and Meg Murray</em></li>
<li id="2pmEY4"><em>Friday: The Star Seminar with Danny Phantom and Rabblerousr</em></li>
<li id="v9qbKC"><em>Sunday: The World’s Team with Meg Murray and Paul Stewart</em></li>
</ul>
<p id="wSJCWD">Also every single weekday features a roundup episodes of sorts similar to these news headlines that catches you up on everything that you need to know! Make sure to listen to <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/"><em><strong>Dallas Cowboys</strong></em></a><em> Daily </em>hosted by Jess Nevarez from Monday through Friday. We also offer live shows every weekday afternoon on the Blogging The Boys YouTube Channel.</p>
<p id="LGL2uW">The Blogging The Boys podcast network is available on all major podcast platforms.</p>
<p id="HJaeV9"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blogging-the-boys-for-dallas-cowboys-fans/id1169821159"><strong>Subscribe here on Apple devices</strong></a>.</p>
<p id="uTsVzz"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz5DmRtIGDYws8tv15c6v"><strong>Subscribe here if you are a Spotify user</strong></a>.</p>
<p id="vwrCib"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/sbnbloggingtheboys"><strong>Subscribe to the Blogging The Boys YouTube Channel for videos throughout every week right here</strong></a>.</p>
<p id="ZlfPkd"></p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2022/9/12/23348351/dallas-cowboys-news-injuries-dak-prescott-connor-mcgovern-jayron-kearse-loss-tampa-bay-bucsDavid Halprin