Cowboys' Dak Prescott admits to 'frustrating' fourth quarter in Panthers loss

Adam Schultz

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Cowboys' Dak Prescott admits to 'frustrating' fourth quarter in Panthers loss image

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When the Dallas Cowboys' offense had a three-and-out with a little over six minutes left in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers, Dak Prescott likely wasn't thinking he wouldn't touch the ball again.

But that's exactly what happened in the 30-27 loss with Bryce Young and the Panthers offense, which converted a fourth down and had a third down penalty extend the drive, kept No. 4 on the sidelines as Dave Caneles' offense did what good teams do, and took all the time off the clock (six minutes) to set up the game-winning field goal.

That doesn't often happen, and considering that the Cowboys had a three-and-out as their last possession, it stings even more.

But was it demoralizing for Dak and the offense to be forced to sit and watch Carolina bleed the clock and then ultimately win the game?

“I wouldn’t say it’s demoralizing, but I’d definitely say it’s frustrating,” Prescott said. "Even the last time we had the ball, not our best series of the game right there, at a crucial point, we just can’t do that, and on top of that, that being the last time we touched the ball makes it frustrating, but that’s the NFL.”

More: Brian Schottenheimer brushes off Cowboys' offense has to be perfect to win narrative

Does Cowboys' offense need to be perfect to win?

There is certainly a case to be made, and given how the defense is giving up points, I wouldn't argue with those who say it does.

With the Panthers able to do whatever they wanted on offense, that isn't a great sign, and in truth, the whole season has been like this from a defensive perspective, with the New York Jets game last week feeling like the outlier.

Dallas needed just one stop in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get it. When they finally did, the offense, which many believe needs to be flawless, fell short.

Now at 2-3-1, it is a tough time to be in Dallas, with a crucial chance to close the gap on the Philadelphia Eagles now wasted.

Dak is frustrated, and I bet the rest of Cowboys nation is too.

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Adam Schultz

Adam Schultz is a freelance writer at The Sporting News. An Australian journalist with years of experience covering the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL, Adam has interviewed several high-profile athletes in Australia for various sites and brings a unique view on the NFL.