EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Dallas Cowboys planned to attempt a two-point conversion after Javonte Williams caught a 17-yard touchdown pass with 5:21 left Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, The Dallas Morning News reported. Williams held the ball out toward a New York defender as he crossed the goal line untouched and drew a 15-yard taunting flag, enforced between downs. That took the two-point try off the board with Dallas trailing 28-20.
“We were going for the win,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “That’s not like Javonte.”
Brandon Aubrey kicked the extra point from 15 yards farther back instead and pushed it wide right. The New York Giants took the kickoff and ran out the final 5:21 while Dallas spent its last two timeouts, and the Cowboys never touched the ball again in a 28-20 loss.
Javonte Williams Takes Accountability For The Flag
Williams said he knew better.
“I’m a pro,” Williams said. “I know better than that. I shouldn’t have did it. I’m going to correct it. It is what it is. I’m just going to move past it.”
Williams is one of 11 members of the Cowboys’ leadership council for 2026.
The touchdown drive covered 74 yards in 2:05 and turned on a New York penalty of its own. Safety Jevón Holland drew an unnecessary roughness call on a 17-yard catch by Ryan Flournoy, moving Dallas to the New York 17. Dak Prescott found Williams on the next snap.
Dallas was flagged 9 times for 90 yards. New York was flagged 10 times for 114.
“It’s us versus us,” Williams said. “Self-inflicted wounds, penalties, things like that. That’s what cost us the game.”
The Dallas Cowboys’ Running Game Against The New York Giants
Williams carried 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 8. He caught all 5 of his targets for 31 yards and the second score. His 3.4 yards per carry were the third-lowest of his Cowboys career, according to The Dallas Morning News. Dallas rushed for 69 yards on 18 attempts as a team and averaged 3.8.
Schottenheimer said the Cowboys adjusted at halftime.
“I thought they pushed us around a little bit up front,” Schottenheimer said. “Their defensive line, our running game, there was way too much penetration early in the game. Javonte was running into freaking, a wall in the beginning of the game. We made some good adjustments at halftime, but this is a team game.”
Williams gained 25 yards on 9 first-half carries. He had 16 on 3 after halftime and scored on both Dallas possessions of the second half, a 1-yard run with 37 seconds left in the third quarter and the 17-yard catch.
Williams set career highs last season with 252 carries, 1,201 rushing yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns, adding 35 catches for 137 yards and 2 scores. He signed a three-year, $24 million extension in February that includes $16 million guaranteed.
Dallas hosts the Washington Commanders on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
