The Dallas Cowboys don’t have much time to think about what went wrong against the Baltimore Ravens.
After a heartbreaking 34-31 loss in Brazil, Dallas returns to action Sunday against the Houston Texans looking to get back to .500 and avoid falling further behind in the NFC East.
At 1-2, the Cowboys are still within striking distance of the division leaders, but another loss would create more questions around a team that has already endured its share of adversity through three weeks.
Here are three Cowboys storylines to watch against Houston.
1. How will Dallas respond after the Ravens loss?
The Cowboys’ biggest storyline is simple: How do they respond?
Dallas appeared to have a chance to win Sunday’s game against Baltimore after reaching the 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter. Instead of scoring a touchdown, the Cowboys settled for a field goal to tie the game before the Ravens drove down for the winning kick.
The sequence has generated plenty of discussion surrounding Dallas’ late-game decision-making. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has acknowledged his role in the decisions, while Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have reviewed the fourth quarter to learn from their mistakes.
Now Dallas has to move forward.
A strong response against Houston would allow the Cowboys to put the disappointing loss behind them while getting their season back on track.
2. Cowboys’ safety situation has become a major concern
Dallas’ injury situation in the secondary will be another majorly storyline.
The Cowboys have lost three safeties in their first three games. Malik Hooker suffered a fractured forearm in Week 1, P.J. Locke went down with a foot injury in Week 2 and Jalen Thompson suffered a hamstring injury against Baltimore.
Thompson is expected to miss four to six weeks, leaving Dallas searching for healthy bodies at the position. Caleb Downs, Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark are among the players currently available, while Hooker could potentially be nearing a return.
That’s a significant concern with Houston potentially getting wide receiver Nico Collins back.
Dallas recently added additional defensive depth like safety Juanyeh Thomas and cornerback Alex Austin, but the Cowboys will need their remaining players to step up quickly.
3. Can the Cowboys fix their red-zone problems?
The Cowboys’ red-zone offense has been one of the more interesting storylines of the season.
Dallas entered Week 4 ranked second in the NFL with an 87.5% touchdown rate inside the 20-yard line. But that efficiency disappeared at some of the most important moments against Baltimore.
The Cowboys reached inside the 2-yard line twice Sunday and settled for field goals both times. One came on the final offensive possession, when Dallas had an opportunity to take the lead but couldn’t find the end zone.
That has to change against Houston.
Javonte Williams has provided Dallas with a productive rushing attack, totaling 98 yards against Baltimore, while Dak Prescott and the passing game led by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens has been very productive the last 2 games against Washington and Baltimore.
The challenge now is finishing drives.
For the Cowboys, Sunday’s game against Houston is about more than simply improving to 2-2. Dallas needs to show that the mistakes that cost them the game against Baltimore can be corrected.
With the season still in its early stages, Week 4 provides the Cowboys with an opportunity to respond.
