In a disheartening 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 3, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was pulled in the fourth quarter, a decision that left the star player visibly frustrated. Despite the game being out of reach, with the Cowboys trailing by three scores, Prescott made it clear he wanted to stay in and fight until the end.
“I mean, obviously, I want every rep. I’m never happy about being pulled out, but you have to be realistic and professional about where the game was,” Prescott admitted post-game. His competitive spirit was evident, but the team opted to hand the reins to backup quarterback Joe Milton, who completed 3 of 5 passes for 41 yards and threw an interception in relief.
The Cowboys’ offense, which racked up an impressive 396 yards, struggled to convert opportunities into points, managing only 14 points, with six coming from field goals. Prescott didn’t mince words when assessing the performance. “I know scoring 14 points is never going to be OK,” he said. “And damn sure not with this offense, this unit, the team, the players that we have… Not acceptable, not to our standard, not anywhere in what we believe in and what we’re capable of doing.”
A Frustrating Day for Dallas
The loss dropped the Cowboys to a 1-2 record, highlighting ongoing struggles on both sides of the ball. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed Prescott’s disappointment, calling the performance “humbling” and acknowledging that the team “didn’t play well enough to win.” The Cowboys’ defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league in most major categories, allowed the Bears to capitalize on key moments, further compounding the offense’s miscues.
Prescott, however, remained focused on what he can control: the offense. Referencing their explosive Week 2 performance against the New York Giants, where Dallas amassed nearly 500 yards of total offense, he emphasized the team’s potential. “I know we’re capable of scoring, and if we’ve got a score like we did last week, we’re gonna do that,” Prescott said. “I don’t get to play defense, and that’s not how this game works… We’ve got to play offense to the best of our ability, regardless.”
CeeDee Lamb’s Absence Looms Large
The Cowboys’ offensive woes were exacerbated by the early exit of star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who left the game with an ankle injury before recording a single catch. In his absence, George Pickens stepped up, hauling in five passes for 68 yards, including a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown. However, Pickens also contributed to the team’s struggles, with a ball bouncing off his hands leading to an interception. He declined to speak to the media after the game.
Fortunately, Lamb’s injury does not appear to be a long-term concern. The star receiver expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, “This is like protect me from myself type of deals. So, once I start feeling much better and I start to get the strength back in my ankle as far as mobility and able to cut and like real dynamic movements — I was ready to go back out there but then they told me not to.” Lamb added that he feels “absolutely” ready to play in the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys now face the challenge of regrouping after a humbling defeat. With a talented offense led by Prescott and Lamb, the team has the potential to turn things around, but consistency will be key. As Prescott and the Cowboys prepare for their next game, fans are left hoping the team can rediscover the explosive form they showed against the Giants and avoid the costly mistakes that doomed them against the Bears.
For Cowboys Nation, the loss stings, but Prescott’s fiery determination and Lamb’s imminent return offer hope for a rebound. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if Dallas can harness their offensive firepower and shore up their defense, they have the tools to get back on track.