EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Quinnen Williams forced the only fumble the Dallas Cowboys recovered Sunday night and was flagged for one of the nine penalties that helped the New York Giants to a 28-20 win at MetLife Stadium. Afterward, one of the Cowboys’ four captains said the defense has to look at itself.
“We gotta definitely look in the mirror, especially as a defense, and go this week and do it,” Williams said. “Definitely taking the responsibility as a defense. I know we had a few missed tackles. I know we had a few mental errors, and not getting off on third down.”
New York converted 9 of 11 third downs, went 4-for-4 in the red zone, and held the ball for 36:40.
Quinnen Williams On Turning Frustration Into Motivation
Williams was asked how frustrating it is to force third down repeatedly and watch the Giants convert.
“Like I said, it’s really frustrating. But we’ve got to take that frustration and learn this week,” Williams said. “We’ve got to look in the mirror and hold each other accountable and see what we personally can do to get better, and use this frustration as motivation and keep going on through the season to get better.”
Dallas allowed 165 rushing yards on 37 carries and missed 7 tackles, per NextGen Stats. The Giants punted once and scored touchdowns on four of seven drives.
Quinnen Williams On The Cowboys’ Defensive Room
Williams signed with Dallas this offseason and was voted a captain before the opener. He said the group can handle being told the truth.
“The guys we got in our locker room, especially on defense, are unbelievable when it comes down to taking constructive criticism and accountability, first of all, and let’s move,” Williams said. “We had a lot of mental errors, a lot of busts today, and just really need to be critical with that going into this week; and focus on getting better.”
“We’ve already said it to each other, and we hold each other accountable to get better,” Williams said. “This defensive unit is really good. We got the guys in this room to be accountable and get better.”
Asked whether the noise made communication harder, Williams said it did not.
“It wasn’t that hard,” Williams said. “We just got to execute. We got to communicate with each other and execute. And that’s all on us as a defense, and we have to be better as a defense, because we can be better, and we will be better.”
Williams said the week ahead is the point.
“And it’s a great week to learn, and to get things better,” Williams said.
The Fumble And The Flag
Williams punched the ball loose from Tyrone Tracy at the two-minute warning of the second quarter, and cornerback Shavon Revel recovered at the Dallas 19. It was the only one of four Dallas forced fumbles the Cowboys came away with. Rookie Caleb Downs, outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, and cornerback Cobie Durant forced the others.
Williams was also flagged for a defensive offside on New York’s opening touchdown drive, one of two Dallas pre-snap penalties on that possession. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said those handed the Giants free downs.
“We jumped offsides a couple times in short yardage situations, which we gave them free downs, if you will,” Schottenheimer said. “That led to sustained drives. It led to them controlling the football. But it comes down to discipline, and we’re more disciplined than the way we played tonight.”
Williams finished with 2 combined tackles, a quarterback hit, and the forced fumble.
Dallas hosts the Washington Commanders on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
