Dallas Cowboys: 5 thoughts after the Cowboys defeat the Titans: A lot of blame, but it starts with Dak Prescott

ARLINGTON – Well, this team certainly does not deserve to be mentioned among the playoff contenders. Not after a performance like this.

The Cowboys have had plenty of opportunities to beat a Tennessee team after three consecutive defeats.

Here's what I think of the Cowboys who dropped to 3-5 after a 28-14 loss Monday night at AT & T Stadium:

1. If the Cowboys can not beat the Titans, how will they compete with Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington or New Orleans over the next four weeks? Tennessee was supposed to be the best shot for a win. There is a lot of blame, but it starts with Dak Prescott. It was just not accurate enough and had two expensive turnarounds that simply can not happen in a match type to win like Monday night. The running was not excellent and the offensive line continued to cause problems. There can be no point in the second half with a team with three wins.

2 The defense was not without fault. Despite some huge games in the beginning – escapement recovery and stops – this was not good enough either. The Titans scored the highest level of the season with 28 points. They were 11 out of 14 at the third downhill. Marcus Mariota looked like a Pro Bowler. There is just something about mobile shifts and this defense. Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Alex Smith and now Mariota have all beaten Dallas. This is a serious problem that needs to be solved because it is so that the NFL evolves.

3 Amari Cooper's debut got off to a good start as he grabbed a pass in the second game of the match and a touchdown on his third target. He finished with five catches for 58 yards on eight targets. Overall, he played very well in his mid-season debut with a new team and a struggling attack. However, especially during the interception in the Red Prescott area, it appeared that the Cowboys were trying too hard to get him involved.

4 What was the size of Daniel Ross's bag that was recalled late in the second quarter? All the defense celebrated. But by the time they were sidelined, the officials informed them that Tennessee had called a timeout before the ball was broken. At the next play, Mariota is paired with Darius Jennings for a remarkable shot (and a better shot) between three defenders in the middle of the field for a 36-yard gain. Mariota then found Dion Lewis on a short pass that he turned into an 18-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Titans lead. At that time, the momentum was completely on the side of the Titans and Dallas was struggling to recover it completely.

5 Cowboys quarterback Byron Jones would not just step back and let the Tennessee players party on the star. After intercepting Dak Prescott in the end zone towards the end of the first quarter, Kevin Byard, of Titan security, ran to midfield. After appearing on the Cowboys' star logo, he was joined by his teammates and started dancing. Jones immediately ran and pushed Byard and some of his teammates off the logo. "Yeah, that's a bit of disrespect," said the former Cowboy and current Monday night football broadcaster Jason Witten. "They're directing the ball to the field, nice Byard game, but I do not know if you want to do that, hey, I'm all for the touchdown celebration, I think it's good for the game. But listen, listen: he's in his third year, okay, do it again in five years and then, you know, get seven or eight interceptions a year, maybe you can do it right now – D probably stay away from the star. "