It seems like the Dallas Cowboys are in a bit of a freefall after their latest skirmish with the Baltimore Ravens, and the aftermath has the team’s laundry being aired out quite publicly. Following a 28-25 defeat that felt more like a trouncing than the score suggests, the Cowboys’ locker room appears to be at a boiling point.
Amid the chaos, defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence didn’t hold back, openly criticizing the team’s effort—or lack thereof. Parsons, in a moment of raw candor, shared his frustrations about needing his teammates to step up and match his commitment.
Meanwhile, Lawrence likened the team’s performance to “little league football,” a harsh indictment of a professional squad that prides itself on excellence.
The Ravens have officially broken the Dallas Cowboys
The discontent doesn’t stop at the defense. Dak Prescott, the quarterback often seen as the heart of the offense, found himself the target of disgruntled fans and sports commentators alike.
Despite putting up decent numbers, Prescott’s contributions came too late in the game, earning him the unenviable title of “master of garbage yards” from none other than the outspoken Skip Bayless. Prescott’s response to the critics was terse and defiant, hinting at a growing divide between the team and its fanbase.
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also shared his frustrations publicly, during the game. Prescott completely ignored Lamb on the game’s opening drive, and it’s clear that Lamb’s been quiet while the offense remains stalled. Frustration is building on the sidelines, but Lamb let it boil over after the offense’s final drive of the first half when he lashed out at Prescott. He was also visibly upset during a conversation with Cowboys wide receivers coach Robert Prince Jr.
Off the field, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stirred the pot even further by addressing the elephant in the room—his decision not to pursue star running back Derrick Henry in the offseason. While Henry ran wild over the Cowboys’ defense, Jones defended his financial decisions, emphasizing salary cap constraints and other priorities.
However, this rationale rings hollow to fans who watched Henry dominate the field, leaving many to wonder what could have been if Jones had opened his checkbook.
The Cowboys’ defense struggled throughout, surrendering a whopping 456 total yards to the Ravens’ offense and allowing Baltimore to control the clock for nearly 35 minutes of the game. Dak Prescott, despite throwing for 379 yards and two touchdowns, couldn’t overcome the team’s slow start.
His performance, particularly in the early stages of the game, drew significant criticism from fans, sparking debates on social media about his contract’s value relative to his output.
Dak Prescott's contract after today's game pic.twitter.com/t7lLpEFKtK
— 𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕨𝕞𝕖𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕆𝕫 (@5StarWhiteTrash) September 22, 2024
To further complicate matters, Micah Parsons' brother, Terrence Parsons Jr, took to Twitter to take out his frustrations on Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson and is inability to "play his role."
Watching the film Donovan Wilson shouldn’t take another snap until he wants to play his role.
— Terrence Parsons Jr (@Tpars_boii) September 23, 2024
As the Ravens enjoy their Week 3 win, they might have done more than hand the Cowboys a loss—they may have rattled Dallas' core. Now, with a big Thursday Night Football game against the Giants coming up, the Cowboys are trying to turn their frustration into focus. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the Ravens may have exposed issues that need more than just a strategy change.
The Ravens have broken Dallas, at least that's what it looks like from the outside. So now, with the Cowboys out of the picture, it’s a matter of who else the Ravens can derail and send into a spiral this season. Could it be the Buffalo Bills this upcoming week?