FRISCO, Texas — Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Dak Prescott’s interception before halftime, and what the New York Giants did after it, turned the Dallas Cowboys’ 28-20 season-opening loss.
On third-and-5 from the Dallas 36 with 58 seconds left in the second quarter, Prescott threw deep right, and safety Jevón Holland intercepted at the New York 45. The Giants scored with 20 seconds left to go up 14-7, then took the second-half kickoff 74 yards on 12 plays over 8:01.
The Cowboys owner and general manager made his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan. A single play is sometimes the decisive point, in Jones’ view, and there was no question about the impact of that one.
“We all know you can’t make it on a play, but a play sometimes is the decisive point, and there’s no question that that was impactful for the entire game,” Jones said. “When they came back out that second half, they were able to control that clock and eat up that part of the clock. I think they probably had the ball two-thirds of the time in the second half.”
“The fact that that resulted in a score right before the half, and then they turn around and make the long drive to start the second half, that definitely was the turning point in the game,” Jones continued.
New York held the ball for 21:33 of the 30 second-half minutes. Dallas had two possessions after halftime and scored on both.
Chief operating officer Stephen Jones pointed to the same sequence on Monday.
Jerry Jones On Prescott, Javonte Williams, And George Pickens
Three plays came up together: Prescott’s interception, a taunting penalty on running back Javonte Williams, and drops by receiver George Pickens. Jones gave New York credit first, then said he does not expect those plays from those players going forward.
“I think New York, the way they were playing us, let’s give them some credit. Let’s give them some credit,” Jones explained. “But I don’t anticipate the three plays that you’re referring to right here, and the people involved in them, I don’t anticipate that to be the case as we go forward.”
“I think those plays are very capable of nine out of 10 times, and maybe that was the one time that we’ll see all year, hopefully,” Jones added.
Prescott completed 22-of-34 passes for 175 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He was not sacked. Pickens caught 3 of 6 targets for 28 yards and had two drops in the first half. CeeDee Lamb caught 5 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
The Two-Point Try Dallas Planned
Williams caught a 17-yard touchdown pass with 5:21 left and held the ball out toward a New York defender as he crossed the goal line. The 15-yard taunting flag was enforced between downs.
Jones said the Cowboys were going for two on that play no matter what.
“If you want to analyze the key penalty that we’re talking about, it was the one that we were going to go for two on the ensuing play, no matter what,” Jones said. “We were going to go for two.”
Jones’ phone connection failed during the rest of that answer.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey pushed the longer extra point wide right. The Giants ran out the final 5:21. Williams said after the game that he knew better.
Williams carried 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. Dallas was flagged 9 times for 90 yards. New York was flagged 10 times for 114.
Dallas hosts the Washington Commanders on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
