Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer took public responsibility on Tuesday for the closing sequence of Sunday’s loss to Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro, saying he hurt his team’s chance to win in the final 28 seconds.
What actually happened?
A chain of decisions. Dallas had first and goal from the 2. On third down, Dak Prescott threw the ball away rather than attempting a throw to George Pickens, leading to a 23 yard field goal that tied the game. Dallas then kicked off through the end zone for a touchback, giving Baltimore the ball at its own 35 with seven seconds left. Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers for 27 yards, and a 56 yard field goal went through with one second remaining.
What did he say about the throwaway?
That he overcoached his quarterback. Brian Schottenheimer said he chose a particular word in the play call, which he declined to disclose, that put Prescott into a mindset he does not normally play with. He said he trusts Prescott completely and that the wording is what he would change.
What about the kickoff?
That it should have been short. A squib or a shorter kick forces a return and burns clock, where a touchback stops the clock and hands the opponent good field position with time intact. He said his emotions over the third down call affected the kickoff decision, and that communication between his special teams coordinator and game management coordinator was not good enough.
Why is that the most interesting part?
Because coaches rarely name it. He referenced a rule from his father, the former NFL head coach, about taking one play at a time, and described the pattern his father had warned about, in which a bad outcome on one decision degrades the next. Admitting that a play call affected a separate decision moments later is a specific and unflattering thing to say out loud, and it is a more useful explanation than any single mistake would be.
Did he defend anything?
The defensive call on the completion to Flowers. Brian Schottenheimer said the coverage itself was acceptable but that the unit played too tight and should have forced the ball to the underneath receiver rather than the deeper one.
What did the owner say?
That no explanation satisfies. Jerry Jones said on a Dallas radio station that neither he nor the coaches have an answer they are content with, that the result cannot be recovered and that the value now is in not repeating it. He also said he remains confident in the team.
Is inexperience a factor?
Arguably. Brian Schottenheimer has coached 20 games as a head coach despite being in his 25th NFL season, and his defensive coordinator is 34 and in a first year in the role. End of game management is the part of head coaching that experience most directly improves, because it is the part that cannot be rehearsed.
What is the situation now?
A 1 and 2 start and a softening schedule. The next three opponents have one win combined. Two division rivals are without their starting quarterbacks. Dallas has injuries of its own, with a safety likely headed for injured reserve, a defensive tackle possibly out a couple of weeks and two defenders potentially returning.
