It was bound to happen, we just did not think it would come in Week 5 against the 0-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the first time this season, despite a 2-2 start, play-caller Brian Schottenheimer was absolutely dominated on game day.
If you’re unfamiliar with Todd Bowles defenses, it all relies on exotic blitz looks and simulated pressure. That’s exactly what the Cowboys offense saw on Thursday night, and they never came up with an answer on how to beat it.
In the first half, the Cowboys offense had some offensive success, but struggled to get into third and manageable, leading to far too many third-and-longs. That played right into Bowles hands, as he was able to mix up blitz looks to scheme pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott.
In the first half, the route concepts the Cowboys were calling against the Buccaneers blitz looks left a lot to be desired. The Cowboys faced far too many 3rd and 7+ and that led to far too many long developing routes.
In most cases against heavy pressure, you’d love to have a few receivers at or past the sticks, and safety valves to get the ball out to with a chance to pick up the first down after the catch (Javonte Williams was fantastic in pass protection). That was nonexistent for most of the night leading to a lot of incompletions, tight window throws, and some errant throws from Dak Prescott.
With the scheme making it hard on the Cowboys passing and running game, we saw a season high in punts (three) and only converting on four of 10 third downs in their 24-16 loss. Even with the schematic issues in the Cowboys week five loss, they had an opportunity to win the game, but two dropped passes resulting in interceptions, along with a KaVontae Turpin fumble on the Cowboys second possession of the second half, killed any momentum and hope of the Cowboys winning the game.
It’s unfair we ask the offense to be near perfect week in-and-week out, but with the way the defense has played over the last year-and-a-half, they will need to be. For a coach that has been in the league calling plays for 20 years, he needs to be better. It was very disappointing to see Bowles out-coach Schottenheimer at the rate that he did on Thursday night, and the conversation would have been just as loud if the Cowboys were able to pull off the comeback.
With the division still wide open, Schottenheimer has to consider making changes on the offensive side of the ball. A few to consider would be cutting into Jake Ferguson’s reps, considering more route concepts and play calls that target the middle of the field, and using a bit more of Tyler Goodson in the underneath passing game (did not receive a carry or target in week five) to get some quick, easy completions with a more explosive runner after the catch.
While it sounds like there are changes coming to the defensive side of the ball, Schottenheimer should not be cleared of criticism, even with the offensive performing at a very high-level for four out of the Cowboys five games so far in 2026.
Play-Calling
F
Fourth-Down Decisions
N/A
The Cowboys only went for it on one fourth down in week five. An incompletion on a rushed throw from Prescott was the result. All other fourth downs were six plus yards and given the Cowboys struggles on offense, the decision to go would have been way too risky.
Timeout Usage
N/A
Team Preparation
F
It was all pretty ugly.
What grade would you give to Brian Schottenheimer on Sunday?
