Brian Schottenheimer ripped for his clock management in Cowboys’ Week 3 loss

Preceding Loop’s game-winner, the Cowboys had just tied the game on a field goal of their own by Brandon Aubrey with seven seconds remaining. But the Dallas head coach Schottenheimer made multiple questionable clock management decisions that unintentionally helped set up the Ravens’ game-winner in the first place.

First, Schottenheimer called timeout with 14 seconds remaining after a 2-yard run by Dak Prescott in a goal-to-go situation (instead of bleeding a few more seconds off the clock). Then thanks to Prescott airmailing a throw to the end zone on third down, there were still 10 ticks left when Aubrey came out for his kick.

Finally, Schottenheimer curiously decided to have his team kick the ball through the back of the end zone for an automatic touchback and a spotting at the 35-yard line (with no time coming off the clock). Because the Cowboys did not do a squib kick and force the Ravens to burn at least some time with a return, Baltimore had just enough time for a 27-yard completion and immediate timeout to stop the clock at one second for Loop’s game-winner.

Schottenheimer (deservedly) heard it from critics over social media. Many were baffled at how his clock (mis)management made it perfectly possible there for the Ravens to win the game in regulation.

Schottenheimer, 52, is now 1-2 as the head coach of the Cowboys in what is shaping up to be another long year for Dallas fans. He was already an unpopular hire when he first got the job last winter and just gave his detractors a lot more ammo with his disaster-class in Week 3.