What happened: The Cowboys suffered their fifth defeat through eight games in 2026, falling to the 13th seed in the conference. The setback intensified public criticism of Brian Schottenheimer as team leadership confronts a sliding campaign.

Why it matters: The loss places Dallas well behind the playoff cutline in the NFC midway through the regular season. With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, front-office decisions loom over whether to alter the roster or adjust coaching responsibilities.

What to watch: Dallas looks to stabilize its season as organizational leadership evaluates options ahead of the trade deadline.