INDIANAPOLIS -- The Cowboys entered Sunday's game against the Colts as the hottest team in the NFL, riding a five-game winning streak, on the verge of the NFC East title.
They left Lucas Oil Stadium having suffered a thorough 23-0, no-show that doused the once-flourishing hype surrounding their playoff prospects. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott termed it "embarrassing" and "unacceptable."
With Washington's win over Jacksonville, the division title has to wait, though it's still likely Dallas' with two regular-season games remaining. Players hope that the kick in the pants is something they can use going forward.
"If anything, we all came together and said, 'hey, in a way, we needed this,'" quarterback Dak Prescott said.