‘It Only Takes One’: Stephen Jones On Dallas Cowboys’ Defensive Collapse, Rashan Gary’s Costly Penalty Against Arizona Cardinals

FRISCO, Texas — Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys defense “reverted back” late in Sunday’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, speaking Monday on 105.3 The Fan’s “K&C Masterpiece”. The Cowboys COO and executive vice president called it the toughest loss of the season for the team.

Through the first 44 minutes, Arizona had 3 points. The Cardinals then scored touchdowns on four straight possessions to close regulation and won on Chad Ryland’s 42-yard field goal in overtime.

“I just think we played some really good football for almost three quarters,” Jones said. “Could we play better? Sure. Offensively, get the ball in the end zone more often. But then unfortunately, we reverted back and didn’t play well at all down the home stretch, especially on the defensive side of the ball after really showing a lot of good things.”

“And started off there late in the third quarter, giving up the long run for a touchdown,” Jones continued. “And then from that point forward, we just didn’t play well. We didn’t execute. We didn’t get our assignments right. And it only takes one on defense, takes one guy not doing his job. And bad things can happen. And unfortunately, we just didn’t get it done. We’re inconsistent right now, and consequently, we’re not winning football games.”

Arizona Cardinals Score 30 Second-Half Points On Dallas Cowboys Defense

With 1:35 left in the third quarter, Arizona replaced Jacoby Brissett with Gardner Minshew II. On Minshew’s second snap, Tyler Allgeier ran 63 yards for a touchdown. Allgeier finished with 11 carries for 147 yards and 1 touchdown, and Arizona outgained Dallas 467-261.

Dallas still led 27-17 with 3:54 left. On third-and-10 from the Dallas 29 with 2:23 remaining, Minshew threw incomplete, but outside linebacker Rashan Gary was flagged for roughing the passer. The 15-yard penalty moved Arizona to the Dallas 14, and Trey McBride caught a 14-yard touchdown on the next play to make it 27-24.

The Cowboys acquired Gary from the Green Bay Packers in March for a 2027 fourth-round pick. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024. Against Arizona, he had 2 assisted tackles and 2 quarterback hits.

Stephen Jones Says Rashan Gary Has ‘Done Some Really, Really Good Things’

Dallas was called for 7 penalties for 45 yards Sunday. Mistakes come with the speed of the game, according to Jones, including from some of the team’s best players.

“When you play this game and you play it as fast as they play it, you’re going to have people are going to make mistakes, and some of our great ones have those mistakes,” Jones explained. “And that’s part of it when you play the game as fast as they’re playing it. And certainly, he’s done some really, really good things for us.”

Dallas sacked Arizona quarterbacks 5 times for 42 yards and led 14-3 at halftime. Jones pointed to that first half as what the defense can be.

“I think yesterday we were able to stop the run,” Jones said. “Defensively where I saw improvement is we were able to really limit their running game early on in the first half and first drive of the second half. We were able to limit their run. We actually did a good job getting pressure through that period of time. I think we had a couple of sacks. We held them to three points and very few yards through basically through almost three quarters. And if you can play defensive football like that, then great.”

Dallas visits the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX.