Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly acknowledged his role in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, attributing the defeat to coaching decisions during the final 28 seconds of regulation. The Cowboys, who tied the game at 31 before the Ravens kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired, had multiple opportunities to secure a victory but failed to capitalize on three first-and-goal attempts from the Ravens’ 2-yard line.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner and general manager, also addressed the team’s performance in the loss, emphasizing that while the outcome could not be changed, the experience would be used to improve moving forward. Both Schottenheimer and Jones framed the defeat as a learning opportunity rather than a reflection of the team’s overall capabilities.
Immediate Aftermath and Coaching Accountability
Schottenheimer, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, took direct responsibility for the team’s struggles in the final moments of the game. He stated, “Well, I didn’t do very good in the final 28 seconds”, and added that he believed his decision-making had negatively impacted Dak Prescott’s performance on third down. Schottenheimer described his approach as “overcoaching”, which he said affected Prescott’s decision-making and ultimately led to the Cowboys settling for a game-tying field goal instead of pursuing a touchdown.
Jones, who has historically been vocal about the Cowboys’ performance, echoed Schottenheimer’s sentiments during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan. He remarked, “There is no explanation you’re satisfied with. None”, while acknowledging that the team would review the sequence of events to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Jones emphasized that the focus would be on improvement rather than recrimination, stating, “What you can do is use it ... to get better. That’s what’s being done.”
Key Moments and Strategic Decisions
The game’s decisive sequence began with the Cowboys trailing 24–17 in the fourth quarter. After scoring a touchdown to tie the game at 31 with under a minute remaining, Baltimore received the ensuing kickoff with seven seconds left. The Ravens then executed a 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers, positioning them for a game-winning 54-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey. The Cowboys’ offense had three consecutive opportunities from the Ravens’ 2-yard line but failed to convert, ultimately forcing a field goal that set up the Ravens’ final drive.
Schottenheimer admitted that his third-down playcalling contributed to the team’s inability to score a go-ahead touchdown. He referenced his father’s coaching philosophy of “one play at a time”, suggesting that his frustration over a prior play had influenced his subsequent decisions. “I think I overcoached Dak on third down. Kind of affected his decision-making a little bit,” he said. “And I let that bleed over into my decision about kicking the ball.”
Team Response and Next Steps
Both Schottenheimer and Jones framed the loss as a temporary setback rather than a systemic issue. Schottenheimer stated, “I’ll take accountability for it. It’s football and life. It is what happens. But I hurt our chances to win that game.” He expressed confidence that he would “be better” in future situations, while Jones reiterated the Cowboys’ commitment to evaluating and refining their approach.
The Cowboys, who entered the game with a 2–1 record, will look to regroup as they prepare for their next matchup. The team’s offensive struggles in the red zone and late-game execution will likely be focal points in upcoming practices.