5 takeaways from Cowboys-Jaguars: Dallas’ playoff berth on hold after Dak Prescott’s INT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Cowboys couldn’t take care of business heading into their highly anticipated rematch with Philadelphia.

The Cowboys blew a 27-10 second-half lead and fell to Jacksonville 40-34 in overtime after a pick-six by quarterback Dak Prescott.

Prescott’s overtime pass on 3rd and 4 bounced off wide receiver Noah Brown and was intercepted by Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who returned it 52 yards for the winning score.

“I take every loss on the chin,” Prescott said after the game.

The Christmas Eve matchup with the Eagles is around the corner, but it loses some luster after Sunday’s loss.

Here are five takeaways from Cowboys-Jaguars:

Dallas misses chance to clinch playoff berth

The Cowboys had a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a victory but will have to wait. Dallas can still lock up a playoff spot Sunday if Washington loses to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

The 13-1 Eagles are three games ahead of Dallas with three games remaining and can clinch the NFC East title with a victory over the Cowboys on Christmas Eve, or in any of their remaining games.

Kelvin Joseph hurts Cowboys

The Cowboys were holding their breath when corner Anthony Brown was lost for the season, meaning the job was turned over to Kelvin Joseph. You saw why in this game.

Joseph bit on a stop-and-go that resulted in a 59-yard touchdown to Zay Jones. On the Jaguars’ next possession, Jones came back and burned Joseph again on a crossing pattern at the end zone for a 10-yard score.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had seen enough. Joseph was on the sidelines the next time the defense took the field, replaced by Nahshon Wright.

Tyron Smith debuts at right tackle

Tyron Smith has been a Pro Bowl fixture at left tackle for the better part of a decade. But after missing the first 13 games of this season, he finds himself at another spot.

Smith started at right tackle against Jacksonville. It was the first time he took the field there in a Cowboys uniform since New Year’s Day during his rookie season in 2012.

Smith has missed 33 games over the last three seasons. He was on a pitch count in this one, playing the first three possessions of the game and the first of the fourth quarter.

Veteran Jason Peters took his spot when he was out.

Defense leaking

The Cowboys had lost Brown and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins in the weeks heading into this game.

Add one more to the list.

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch went out early with a neck injury. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong went out in the second half with a knee injury, but later returned. Safety Donovan Wilson then went out with an injury before also later returning.

The defense is suffering some key hits that are difficult to overcome. It showed in this game.

No OBJ, but not that bad

The Cowboys obsession with adding Odell Beckham Jr. — OK, the Jerry Jones obsession — has been going on for weeks. He’s not here yet, but T.Y. Hilton was added last week.

Hilton wasn’t active Sunday, but Noah Brown, the receiver that stands to lose the most snaps with Hilton’s arrival, made a strong statement until the deciding play in overtime. Brown scored twice, including the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. through the Super Bowl.

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