Well, if that wasn’t the Cowboys Way when it comes to losing a football game.

Dumb penalties that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

In Sunday’s preseason opener, the Cowboys defense picked off Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett four times. Somehow, Dallas still lost 13-12 at SoFi Stadium.

A fifth interception – which would have likely ended the game with a little over two minutes left – was wiped away by a penalty.

An unnecessary roughness penalty handed Los Angeles 15 free yards. A few plays later, with four seconds left, the Rams scored the game-tying touchdown.

The extra point sealed the Cowboys’ fate.

The defense’s letdown at the end wasn’t the only reason why Dallas came up a point short.

Mike McCarthy’s affinity for going for it on fourth down instead of sending out Brandon Aubrey didn’t help. Nor did Trey Lance’s inability to get the ball into the end zone.

The good news is: It was just a preseason game.

The bad news: It’s been a pattern with this franchise for far too long.

The Back-up QBs

With Dak Prescott and most of the expected starters watching from the sidelines, Cooper Rush started at quarterback for the Cowboys.

Rush got the opening drive after the Rams opened the game with a field goal drive. He finished two-for-three for 44 yards.

His best play was a 43-yard pass to Jalen Brooks.

The Cowboys settled for their own field goal to tie the game.

Lance took over for the second drive and played the rest of the game. He went 25-for-41 for 188 yards and was sacked three times.

Like Rush, Lance failed to get Dallas into the end zone and settled for three more field goals.

He also missed on several throws, including one that cost the Cowboys a touchdown. Many of his passes – even some that were completed – sailed high.

In short, neither Rush nor Lance hurt or particularly helped their respective cases to be the backup – and potential successor – to Prescott.

What Running Game?

Like Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott was confined to the sidelines.

The Cowboys ended up rushing the ball 23 times against the Rams for 93 yards. Lance was the leading rusher with 44 yards on six carries.

Among the actual running backs, Malik Davis had 18 yards on eight carries.

That’s not all that encouraging. It might also explain why the Cowboys have been mentioned in trade talks at the position.

Hot Seat Pressure

McCarthy is on the hot seat this year, as unfair as that may be after three-straight 12-win seasons.

That may be one reason why he eschewed field goal attempts for fourth down attempts instead. If so, he only got burned more.

The Cowboys went two-for-five on fourth down tries.

Given the final score, McCarthy probably wishes he’d chosen to send Brandon Aubrey out instead for at least one more field goal try.

McCarthy has a history of going for it on fourth down a little too often for comfort. Given the pressure he’s under, he might succumb to the temptation more.

That could prove to be problematic, especially if the Cowboys fail to convert at a higher percentage.

Solid Defense, Until It Wasn’t

Mike Zimmer made his presence known in the first game.

His defense picked off Stetson Bennett four times. And they did a fairly good job against the run.

At least they didn’t get run off the field like Dan Quinn’s defense did back in January.

They were on track for a great game until the final drive.

Emany Johnson appeared to seal the win with an interception. Only to have a penalty for defensive holding by Josh Butler give the ball right back to the Rams.

Four plays later, Jason Johnson drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness on a tackle of a Rams receiver.

The call seemed somewhat questionable. It also gave the Rams the ball at the Cowboys’ 30.

Dallas held the Rams out of the end zone until a fourth-and-goal play at the six resulted in a scrambling, touchdown throw by Bennett to Miller Forristall with just a few seconds left.

It was a disappointing debut for Zimmer, but the defense is definitely looking better.

Next Test

The Cowboys will try to rebound – and hopefully find the end zone – this Saturday against the Raiders.

The game will be played in Las Vegas. Dallas comes home for its third and final preseason game, against the Chargers, the following Saturday.