The Dallas Cowboys fell to 1-2 following their 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. The contest saw the Cowboys fall behind early and their late attempt at a comeback fall short. Once again, Dallas’ defense struggled early, particularly in stopping the run. By the time the game clock struck 0:00 in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys had given 274 yards on the ground.
The majority of the damage was done by Ravens running back Derrick Henry, who had 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Baltimore’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson, had 87 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground as well.
The Dallas Cowboys Offense Struggled to Establish the Run
While the Ravens were able to do just about whatever they wanted in the run game, the Cowboys could not establish any semblance of a ground attack against Baltimore. Part of the problem was that they were playing from behind all game and, therefore, needed to pass the ball.
However, Dallas’ running backs also did not perform well. Rico Dowdle led the team with 32 yards on eight carries. No other Cowboys player had more than seven yards, and that was quarterback Dak Prescott.
Ezekiel Elliott had just six yards on three carries.
In total, the Cowboys generated 51 rushing yards.
Going into the season, Dallas and owner Jerry Jones were criticized for not addressing the running back position in free agency. These criticisms emerged again postgame, especially after what Jones said about why the Cowboys did not try to sign Derrick Henry.
Dallas Cowboys Fans Are Furious with Jerry Jones Over His Comments Regarding Derrick Henry
Elliott, of course, was the Cowboys’ big free agent signing at the running back position after Tony Pollard departed for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. At the time of the signing, and for much of the time after, many wondered why Dallas did not pursue Henry.
Jones was asked this question after the game and said, “We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry.” The Ravens signed Henry to a two-year $16 million deal this offseason with $9 million guaranteed.
Fans, who are aware of the salary cap space the Cowboys have, were furious with his comment:
Sorry, kids. We need to go to the clearance aisle for Zeke and Dalvin. https://t.co/VASEPstkF8
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) September 23, 2024
jerry: “we have derrick henry at home”
derrick henry at home: https://t.co/mVY3riODxJ pic.twitter.com/3TRWXOCWFl
— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) September 23, 2024
Jerry must think we can’t read or something 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/MdJMmExInQ pic.twitter.com/Ovo1vppSD2
— William Spencer III (@hype_phinest) September 23, 2024
This is just false. https://t.co/W4F2PE3Kk8
— Chris Halling (@ChrisHalling_) September 23, 2024
Ok whatever that’s fine but that doesn’t excuse your RB acquisitions being Zeke, Royce Freeman, and Dalvin Cook https://t.co/9CNyRLvK9s
— • (@kniznerfan) September 23, 2024
The fact of the matter is that the Cowboys could have afforded Henry. In fact, they could have signed Henry and still have been able to give Prescott and CeeDee Lamb their massive contract extensions.
They just did not want to spend that kind of money on a running back.
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