With the playoffs formerly within better reach, the Cowboys suffered their second straight loss. This one was a 34-26 decision against a Vikings team that put together an impressive offensive performance against the Cowboys’ struggling defense.

Let’s take a look at what went wrong.

Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus had no answers

After many poor performances throughout the season, J.J. McCarthy befuddled the Cowboys’ defense with a career-high 250 yards passing. He also hit for a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for another.

McCarthy said he’s feeling more comfortable, according to ESPN.

“I think just experience, getting to my eighth game and just feeling more and more comfortable in the pocket, seeing the defenses,” McCarthy said. “I’m just another piece of the puzzle.”

But the Cowboys were left seeking answers.

“Definitely surprised, especially (to) get rolling like we did for those few weeks, then watch the confidence just skyrocket,” Prescott said. “Stopping teams, scoring at will, coming back from 21 points (down), a lot of good wins there that, to be in this position just reminds you every play matters. It’s a hard game.”

And it has been particularly hard for Eberflus. And owner Jerry Jones isn’t a happy camper, according to The Athletic.

“The adjustments that we should be making (defensively) should be with these next three games in mind,” Jones said. “With three games left in the short time that we’ve got to play them in, then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching with the time frame we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.”

Vikings made life tough for Cowboys’ defense

The Vikings entered averaging 279 yards per game, fifth-lowest in the NFL. They were averaging just 20 points per game, ranking them at No. 25. Against the Cowboys, they totaled 327 yards and their second-highest point total of the season.

“I’d like to play better defense, and at the end of the day, that’s what he does,” Jones said when asked about Eberflus. “From the standpoint, I know Matt, of course, individually, since he’s coached here for many, many years. But I thought we made some adjustments. They handled it pretty good.

“If you notice, the (Vikings defensive) style is that they get up, put a lot up (by the line of scrimmage) to look at, and then they mix it up, kind of take some out, and put some in, so to speak, while it’s all going on. We kind of do it different philosophically. Theirs won the day.”

Sounds like Eberflus won’t last much longer in Dallas. And the head coach didn’t offer support.

“I felt like we gave up too many explosives,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I think those are the things you have to eliminate. Again, these guys play hard. These guys played a really physical game. But at the end of the day, we have to play better as a football team and got to get more pressure on the quarterback, got to get them on the ground. I don’t think we played well enough to win.”

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott wasn’t good enough

To be fair, it seems like Prescott got another disinterested performance from George Pickens, who totaled only three catches for 33 yards. By comparison, unheralded receiver Ryan Flournoy had four catches for 40 yards.

Prescott hit 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards, which aren’t bad numbers. But he didn’t throw a touchdown pass for just the third time this season. The Cowboys’ ground game proved strong, with Javonte Williams rushing 15 times for 91 yards and a score.

However, Prescott didn’t keep drives alive. And he couldn’t get the team to finish drives. After an early second-quarter touchdown, the Cowboys managed only four field goals the rest of the way. They were moving the ball, but Brandon Aubrey missed a pair of kicks. But they didn’t finish.

Some of that falls on Prescott’s shoulders. And he and his teammates are left with this outlook, according to newsweek.com.

“No, I mean- it’s professionals,” Prescott said. “You’re a professional football player, you’ve got to come to work and give your best regardless. Unfortunately, I’m sure the playoffs are out of the picture. But it’s about taking pride in who you are as a man, and not only that, in your job, and everything that’s gotten you to this point.”

Cowboys WR George Pickens didn’t show up

Are the Cowboys willing to back up the cash truck to Pickens’ home after his last two games?

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated says they should not.

“Dallas already has one [$30 million receiver] with star receiver CeeDee Lamb,” Manzano wrote. “And handing Pickens a contract extension that compares to Lamb’s would be a massive mistake for the organization. Paying Pickens would be several steps backward because the Micah Parsons trade to Green Bay was supposed to give the Cowboys cap space flexibility to build a well-rounded roster. Tying up the salary cap in Pickens, Lamb, and Dak Prescott would put this team back where it was before the shocking Parsons trade in August.”

Pickens has been outstanding at times this season. But in the team’s two biggest games, both losses that wound up ending reasonable playoff hopes, Pickens totaled eight catches for 70 yards and zero touchdowns.