Brian Schottenheimer identifies Cowboys’ biggest problem amid frustrating season
After falling to 3-5 following another frustrating loss, Brian Schottenheimer revealed what he believes is holding the Cowboys back and took responsibility for the team's struggles.
The Dallas Cowboys are still searching for answers after another disappointing result: a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals that once again exposed the problems of a team that has yet to find consistency.
Dallas enters Week 9 with a 3-5 record and has lost three of its last four games. Now the Cowboys have a chance to change the narrative when they face the Indianapolis Colts — a game that could serve as a turning point to regain confidence and keep their season alive.
But before focusing on their next opponent, the Cowboys must address the main reason for their uneven performance. According to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the issue is not a lack of effort, but the team’s inability to execute in critical moments.
Brian Schottenheimer identifies the Cowboys’ problem
After the loss to Arizona, Schottenheimer was asked about the team’s attitude through the first half of the season and dismissed the idea that effort is the problem.
“It’s not an effort issue. It’s an execution issue. That starts with me as a head coach,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m responsible for everything that happens here. Our execution has to get cleaner and what we have to do is we have to be able to put some of these close games away that we’ve unfortunately let slip away from us. And that comes down to execution.”
The numbers reflect Dallas’s struggles, especially on defense. The Cowboys head into the matchup against Indianapolis as the NFL ’s worst defense, allowing 385.4 yards per game , and also rank last against the run at 152.8 rushing yards allowed per contest.
The offense, by contrast, has kept the team competitive and ranks 13th in the NFL with an average of 342 total yards per game .
Jerry Jones maintains his support for Schottenheimer
Despite the difficult start, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he has no plans to make a coaching change.
“That’s not in my mind at this time,” Jones said. “This is an indictment of the whole show … This is a criticism of everyone.”
The owner recalled that he has made significant midseason decisions in the past, such as firing Wade Phillips , but made clear he does not see a similar situation with Schottenheimer.
“I’m not proud of it, but I made a change with Wade Phillips there in the middle of the season,” Jones added. “I don’t see that here at all.”
Jones even defended the Dallas coach and insisted the responsibility for the team’s struggles is collective.
“I will say that a lot of people let Brian down today. For whatever criticism we have of Brian, we can all get in line.”
The owner also took some of the blame for the team’s current situation.
“Well, I don’t know,” Jones said. “None of us are getting it done and that should be my concern. So I’m not pointing at Schotty, I’m not pointing to anybody, but none of us have it done. I haven’t been involved in too many games that we should have wanted and we had the opportunities we had to win this game. So that is a big snapshot that we want to put above our mirror.”
A win against the Colts could shift the atmosphere around Dallas and give the team some breathing room amid the pressure. But another loss could increase the doubts surrounding a franchise that needs to respond before its season becomes even more complicated.
