Cardinals’ demolition of the Cowboys leaves no room for debate: This Dallas team is broken – The Dallas Morning News

ARLINGTON Maybe now skeptics have a better understanding of what Dak Prescott means to this team.

And please, put an end to the assumption that the Cowboys will win the NFC East by default, no matter how many players they lose or how poorly they perform. No one of sound mind and body can cling to that delusion after Arizonas 38-10 victory at AT&T Stadium.

Monday nights demolition left no room for debate: this team is broken. The only question over the final 10 games is if its irrevocable.

Weve got to play better, quarterback Andy Dalton said after Dallas fell to 2-4. "At the end of the day, the record is what it is. The division is what it is.

Its still early. Theres a lot of football left to play.

Its true that the Cowboys have been forced to endure more than their fair share of injuries. The team couldnt even make it through the first quarter of this game before losing Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin to a concussion.

Injuries have taken a staggering physical toll. It would be disingenuous to say it hasnt impacted the teams ability to compete.

But the primary concern at the moment should be the teams mental state.

The mental and the emotional gain and growth is always the last component to come and develop to the level you need to be successful, head coach Mike McCarthy said. "Obviously, ours is not where it needs to be right now.

We havent handled the adversity in games. Its an unfortunate part of the game when players do get injured, but we had a chance to prepare for this team and you have to overcome the adverse situations that come up in the game.

Prescotts presence covered a multitude of sins. He wasnt perfect. His seven turnovers helped dig the early hole this team finds itself, a hole the Cardinals were only too happy to shovel dirt on Monday night.

But Prescott kept this team competitive. He gave the Cowboys a chance to overcome mistakes to win. He made big plays, masked the teams glaring deficiencies in the offensive line and kept his teammates from losing confidence while they were losing.

Dalton did none of that.

Not to be rude, but no assessments for you tonight, McCarthy said when asked to assess Daltons performance. "We all understand what the score is.

Most importantly, I didnt coach very well. We have a continuing issue with ball security on our football team.

The Cowboys turned the ball over four times in Mondays loss. Thats 15 turnovers for the season.

Weve got to get that fixed, Dalton said "It affects how were able to play.

The ball is the most important thing. We cant be handing it to the other team.

Dalton found himself forced to play from behind as Prescott had done all season. He wasnt nearly as prolific.

The veteran quarterback completed 34-of-54 passes for 266 yards. He threw one touchdown late in the game, when the outcome was no longer in doubt, and had two interceptions.

I mean, there are things that I can do better, Dalton said. "I know that.

Im always going to be my worst critic.

An offense that averaged 36.5 points in the previous four games had only three points on the board entering the final three minutes of this blowout. Unlike Prescott, Dalton was unable to buy time with his feet when protection broke down to make big plays down the field.

Dalton was sacked three times for 19 yards. But that doesnt tell the full story. He was under duress all evening, preventing the offense from finding any sort of rhythm.

They pressured us a lot tonight, Dalton said.

Now keep this in mind. Arizonas defensive front isnt nearly as good as Washington, the Cowboys next opponent.

The early over/under for sacks allowed in that game should be set at six.

This was arguably the most favorable stretch of the season for Dallas. The Cowboys enjoyed three consecutive games at home for only the fifth time since theyve called AT&T Stadium home.

They responded by losing two of the three.

Leighton Vander Esch returned to the field for the first time since fracturing his collarbone in the season opener. The linebacker maintains he and his teammates remain strong mentally and rejects the assertion that once this group encounters adversity, it suffers from here we go again syndrome.

I dont even like that question, honestly, and Im not going to answer it, Vander Esch said. There wont be any of that negative energy, regardless.

Negative energy? Its impossible to avoid at this point.

Even the pathetic NFC East offers no solace.

Im irritated with the way we performed, McCarthy said when asked about still leading the division.

We need to get this turnover ratio right.

Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. through the Super Bowl.

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Cardinals' demolition of the Cowboys leaves no room for debate: This Dallas team is broken - The Dallas Morning News