Seven Seconds Too Many: Jerry Jones Says There's 'No Explanation' for the Cowboys' Finish

The Cowboys had a first down at the Baltimore 2 with 23 seconds left, down three. They ended up losing by three. Jerry Jones isn't pretending that was bad luck.

"There is no explanation you're satisfied with. None," the Dallas owner said on his radio show Tuesday. "They (coaches) don't have one that they're satisfied with. We made mistakes during that time."

How it happened

Dak Prescott's first-down throw fell incomplete. A false start on tight end Luke Schoonmaker pushed Dallas back, Prescott scrambled to the 5, and Brian Schottenheimer used his last timeout with 14 seconds left. His instructions: a quick out to George Pickens, or throw it away. Prescott threw it away quickly, and Brandon Aubrey tied the game at 31.

That left seven seconds, which was plenty. The Dallas defense left a gap almost exactly where the Ravens needed to get to for a kick. Lamar Jackson hit Zay Flowers for 27 yards, Baltimore called timeout with a second to spare, and Tyler Loop made it from 56 yards.

Schottenheimer, who also calls the plays, is in his second season as a head coach after 25 years as an assistant. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker is 34 and in his first year in the job. Jones' comments put both of them in an uncomfortable spot.

He did see a bright side. The Eagles' Monday night loss means Philadelphia and the Giants lead the NFC East at 2-1, one game ahead of Dallas. "We are very much in the hunt," Jones said.

The Cowboys can prove it Sunday against a winless team. They play at Houston (0-3) at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.