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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — On a night when the Dallas Cowboys' much-maligned defense finally displayed some resilience, their star-studded offense sputtered in a 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, and the Cowboys were held scoreless in the first half for the first time since Nov. 7, 2021, when they trailed 16-0 at halftime of a 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Dallas trailed 7-0 and faced second-and-8 from Green Bay's 17 when Prescott absorbed a big hit from Zaire Franklin. On the next play, Evan Williams intercepted Prescott's pass intended for CeeDee Lamb.
On their next possession, the Cowboys trailed 10-0 and had first-and-15 from Green Bay's 28 when Lamb fell on a route, allowing Packers rookie Brandon Cisse to record his first career interception.
Prescott finished 34 of 54 for 258 yards. His only touchdown pass — a 6-yarder to Ryan Flournoy — came in the final minute of the game.
Dallas' offensive problems were particularly disappointing because its defense responded to adversity after struggling all season. The defensive performance offered at least one reason for hope that the Cowboys can still turn things around, especially since no team has stood out in the NFC East so far.
The Cowboys (2-4) entered the game allowing a league-high 6.4 yards per play and searching for answers after an embarrassing 24-16 home loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dallas' defense held a players-only meeting to discuss how to improve. The Cowboys also brought in veteran defensive assistant Mike Pettine in the days leading up to the game to help first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Pettine was Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 2018-20, while Parker was a defensive quality control coach with the Packers from 2019-20.
Dallas' defense responded, though it got some help when three potential touchdown passes by Green Bay's Jordan Love were dropped — two by Matthew Golden and one by Christian Watson.
Green Bay took the lead for good with a 90-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession, but Dallas' defense stiffened from there and produced several big plays.
Dee Winters got the Cowboys' first interception of the season when he made a diving catch in front of Golden late in the first quarter. Winters then got up and weaved between multiple defenders to run over 40 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a replay review determined he was touched by Golden while still on the ground.
Quinnen Williams stopped Pierre Strong Jr. for a 1-yard loss when Green Bay had second-and-goal at the 1 in the second quarter. Malik Hooker then made an open-field tackle after Tucker Kraft caught a pass on third-and-goal, causing the Packers to settle for Trey Smack's 25-yard field goal.
Kenny Clark, who spent his first nine NFL seasons in Green Bay, got his first sack of the season in his return to Lambeau Field.
Key Analysis
The Cowboys' defensive improvements, highlighted by Winters' interception and key stops in goal-to-go situations, suggest the unit may be turning a corner under added veteran guidance. However, the offense's inability to capitalize on those opportunities raises concerns about Dallas' ability to compete in a wide-open NFC East. With Prescott's two interceptions and a scoreless first half, the pressure remains on the offense to match the defense's newfound energy.
Originally reported by yahoo.