Jerry Jones faces backlash after Week 1
Dallas Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones faced online criticism after the 2026 opener. The team lost 28-20 to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 13.
Jones later discussed the defeat during radio appearances and compared it with past championship seasons. Some Cowboys supporters responded sharply online after his comments as Dallas prepared for its September 20 home opener against Washington.
Dallas Cowboys offense started slowly
Dallas produced 244 total yards in the season opener, including 175 through the air and 69 on the ground. Dak Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
The Cowboys ran 52 offensive plays and held possession for 23:20. New York controlled the ball for 36:40, while Dallas had only two possessions in the second half.
Jerry Jones says Giants exceeded expectations
Jones said on September 18 that New York was better than Dallas expected before the opener. He added that the Cowboys did not play as well as they should have in the 28-20 defeat.
The owner also said the Giants played better than he thought they could. His comments followed earlier concerns about communication, defensive positioning, physical play and rushing production after Dallas reviewed the game.
Jerry Jones explains his Super Bowl example
Jones said both teams from the previous Super Bowl lost their opening games before improving throughout the season. He was referring to Seattle and New England, who began the 2025 schedule with defeats.
Seattle lost 17-13 to San Francisco, while New England fell 20-13 to Las Vegas. Both finished 14-3 before Seattle won Super Bowl LX, 29-13.
Dallas Cowboys have a 1993 precedent
Jones also referenced Dallas’ 1993 championship season. The Cowboys opened with a 35-16 loss at Washington, then dropped their second game, 13-10, to Buffalo at Texas Stadium.
Dallas recovered to finish 12-4 and secure the NFC’s top seed. The Cowboys later beat Buffalo 30-13 in Super Bowl XXVIII, completing a second consecutive championship season.
Jerry Jones draws sharp fan reactions
Some supporters answered Jones’ remarks with direct criticism on social media. One response said, “Seriously. Retire,” while another wrote, “It’s so over,” after Dallas opened the season with a division defeat.
Other replies questioned Jones’ hands-on role in football decisions and referenced the long gap since the 1990s championships. Those comments represent individual online reactions rather than a scientific measure of overall fan opinion.
Dallas Cowboys postseason gap reaches 30 years
Dallas last reached the NFC Championship Game in the 1995 season, defeating Green Bay 38-27. The Cowboys then beat Pittsburgh 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX for their fifth title.
From the 1996 season through 2025, Dallas completed 30 consecutive seasons without returning to the NFC Championship Game. The franchise also did not advance beyond the Divisional Round during that span.
Jerry Jones remains owner and general manager
Jones purchased the Cowboys in 1989 and remains the owner, president and general manager. Dallas won 3 Super Bowls during his first 7 years of ownership, capturing championships after the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame elected Jones as a contributor in 2017. His documented work has included sports marketing, promotion, stadium development, television, sponsorship and other league business activities.
Brian Schottenheimer enters second season
Brian Schottenheimer became the 10th head coach in Cowboys history on January 24, 2025. His first season ended with a 7-9-1 record, leaving Dallas outside the playoffs.
Dallas finished second in the NFL in total offense in 2025, averaging 391.9 yards per game. That production contrasted with a defense that allowed 511 points, the league’s highest total.
Dallas Cowboys reshape the 2026 defense
Dallas hired Christian Parker on January 22, 2026, to lead the defense. At age 34, he became the youngest coordinator in franchise history and the fourth person to hold that position in four seasons.
The Cowboys traded a 2027 fourth-round pick for Rashan Gary and selected safety Caleb Downs 11th overall. Dallas also added defensive personnel at multiple levels while installing Parker’s new 3-4 defense.
Fun fact: In 2015, Odell Beckham Jr. caught 33 one-handed passes in 60 seconds, setting a Guinness World Records mark with Drew Brees throwing the passes.
Dallas Cowboys defense struggled in opener
New York gained 394 total yards and rushed for 165 on 37 carries. The Giants converted 9 of 11 third-down attempts, repeatedly extending drives against Dallas’ newly installed defensive system Sunday.
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 54 on the ground, while Dallas recorded 2 sacks without intercepting him overall.
Dallas Cowboys lose two defensive starters
Safety Malik Hooker and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown were ruled out for the Washington game. Hooker sustained a forearm fracture against New York, while Overshown suffered a hamstring strain.
Brian Schottenheimer said Overshown was expected to miss 1 to 2 weeks. Rookie Jaishawn Barham started at middle linebacker and wore the green dot to receive Christian Parker’s defensive calls against Washington.
CeeDee Lamb dropped from Cowboys captain group for 2026, adding context to how Dallas is reshaping its leadership structure and distributing responsibility across the roster entering the new season.
Dallas Cowboys host Washington next
Dallas hosted Washington at AT&T Stadium on September 20 at 3:25 p.m. CT and defeated the Commanders 37-20. Washington entered the game after losing 24-22 to Philadelphia in Week 1, while Dallas was coming off its 28-20 loss to the Giants.
Washington lost its opener after a late 2-point attempt came up short. The Commanders rushed for 132 yards and recorded 3 sacks against Philadelphia before traveling to Arlington for Week 2.
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Could Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to New York produce another memorable chapter, or will nostalgia outweigh his impact on the field? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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