Dallas Cowboys Lose 31-21 in Brian Schottenheimer Preseason Debut vs Rams

Brian Schottenheimer’s debut as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys ended in a 31-21 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams, marked by a slow start where the Cowboys managed just one yard of offense in the first quarter. Schottenheimer admitted the game was not the storybook beginning he envisioned and emphasized the need to clean up penalties and improve complementary football. Emotionally, the occasion was significant for Schottenheimer, who shared a heartfelt moment with owner Jerry Jones and expressed that coaching the Cowboys had been a lifelong dream. Backup quarterback Joe Milton showed mixed results, completing 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Schottenheimer viewed some mistakes as learning opportunities. The Cowboys were also hindered by 11 penalties and struggled to gain momentum, but Schottenheimer remained undeterred, focusing on film review and improvements ahead of upcoming preseason games. Despite the loss and challenges, Schottenheimer conveyed gratitude for the opportunity and a commitment to work hard moving forward.