Brian Schottenheimer has identified those responsible for the Cowboys' loss to the Giants

The Dallas Cowboys left their season opener with more questions than answers, and Brian Schottenheimer was clear about where he believed the problems began after a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants . Dallas ' defense was expected to look different this season, but the numbers told a familiar story. The Cowboys surrendered 394 yards, including 165 rushing yards, while their own offense managed only 244.

Schottenheimer did not hide from those shortcomings when he addressed reporters. The head coach acknowledged that Dallas ' young defenders had made mistakes, while also accepting responsibility for how they were coached. "You know, one other thing, not an excuse, guys,” Schottenheimer said. “We did not play well. But you got young players, and young player closes and Jaxson Dart boots and gets outside. “We don’t push three different times to the [expletive] flat route. Excuse my language. You know, like, those are gonna happen. “And we have to coach the young players better, but when you play young players, it’s part of the deal. And they need to learn quickly.” The Cowboys repeatedly struggled to contain short throws into the flat, allowing the Giants to extend drives and keep pressure on a defense that spent much of the night trying to find answers. That urgency is understandable given how thoroughly the Giants controlled the game. New York held the ball for 36:40 compared with Dallas ' 23:20, while Dart helped enough offense to protect the lead. The Cowboys ' offense offered little resistance early, finishing with just 69 rushing yards and struggling to establish consistency. Two second-half touchdowns gave Dallas hope, but the comeback attempt arrived after too much damage had already been done. Caleb Downs provided one of the few encouraging performances among Dallas ' young players, but the rookie could not solve the wider problems alone. The Cowboys need more players to develop quickly if their rebuilt roster is to meet expectations.

Week 2 provides tough test as Cowboys chase opening win

The Cowboys do not have much time to dwell on the defeat, with the winless Washington Commanders next on the schedule. That matchup gives Dallas an opportunity to show whether the mistakes against the Giants were an opening-night stumble or a deeper concern. But it will not be easy. Washington may have opened the season with a loss, but they showed against the Philadelphia Eagles they cannot be judged on their record. They pushed the reigning NFC East champions to the brink before losing 24-22 as the Commanders trailed 24-16 with just over six minutes remaining, yet Jayden Daniels kept them alive with a late surge. He found Stefon Diggs for a touchdown to enter two-point conversion situation. However, a penalty on Diggs landed the team a 15-yard penalty and the chance to go for the two-point conversion failed. Eagles ' quarterback Jalen Hurts led the team downfield to score on the next drive to rub salt into the wounds. But Daniels was not done yet, connecting with rookie Antonio Williams for another score with 1:01 left and that final drive put Washington within one successful two-point conversion of forcing overtime. Although they did not make the conversion, Washington brought pressure, limited Philadelphia 's running game and recorded three sacks in a good performance. That performance should immediately concern Dallas when they meet the Commanders on the field on Sunday, September 20 after watching their own defense struggle against the run while failing to control the tempo.