Schottenheimer takes responsibility for Cowboys decisions in final 28 seconds

Brian Schottenheimer took responsibility Tuesday for Dallas' decisions over the final 28 seconds of its 34-31 loss to Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro. The Cowboys coach said his instructions to Dak Prescott and the handling of the ensuing kickoff hurt the team's chance to win.

The Cowboys had reached first-and-goal at the Ravens' 2-yard line with 23 seconds left. Schottenheimer said the first call was a run with an option to attack one-on-one coverage outside, which led to a pass toward George Pickens. A false start then pushed Dallas back, and Prescott scrambled on second down before the Cowboys called timeout.

The coach identified third down as his own mistake. With Terence Steele coming out and Broderick Jones entering, Schottenheimer said he put Prescott into an approach the quarterback would not normally use. Prescott threw the ball away, and Brandon Aubrey's field goal tied the score at 31.

That left Baltimore seven seconds. Aubrey's kickoff went through the end zone, putting the Ravens at their 35. Lamar Jackson then found Zay Flowers for 27 yards, setting up Tyler Loop's winning field goal.

Schottenheimer said he would choose a shorter kickoff if he could repeat the situation, making Baltimore return the ball and consume time. That is the coach's assessment of an alternative; the result of a different kick cannot be established. He also said Dallas played too tight on the completion to Flowers and that he had discussed other coverage options with defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

ESPN's Todd Archer reported that Jerry Jones and Schottenheimer reviewed the decisions together. Jones had criticized the ending on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday, while Schottenheimer said their conversation left them aligned about correcting the mistakes.

The coach also said he and Prescott spoke on the flight home and reiterated his trust in the quarterback. Dallas is 1-2 and visits the 0-3 Texans Sunday. The next game gives the Cowboys a chance to apply the changes Schottenheimer described after two losses in which he said the team failed to finish.