Cowboys beat the Falcons: Matty Ice can’t hold a lead
The Dallas Cowboys won their first game of the season vs Atlanta Falcons
Heading into the game, there were a lot of injuries to the Dallas Cowboys. In total, there are nine players on IR, the most of any team in the NFL. Despite this, head coach Mike McCarthy was determined to lead the team to a 1-1 start.
Injuries were a huge issue heading into the game. Left tackle, Tyron Smith, was a game-time decision and ended up being held out with a neck injury. This forced Brandon Knight to start at left tackle, and Terrence Steele to return at right tackle.
Regarding the offensive line, what you expected to happen was happening. The tackles could not hold up at all, forcing quarterback Dak Prescott to try and make something out of nothing. In the first 11 minutes of the game, the Cowboys fumbled four times, losing three of them.
At the end of the first quarter, the Atlanta Falcons were up 20-0.
The offensive line played better in the second quarter, helping the Cowboys score 10 points. There wasn’t as much pressure on Dak, and running back Ezekiel Elliott was able to run for 10+ yards three times. Things looked like they were finally clicking offensively. At halftime, Atlanta was up 29-10
The third quarter was highlighted by wide receivers. There was a touchdown drop by Julio Jones, a 37-yard catch and run by CeeDee Lamb, and a great 58-yard catch by Amari Cooper. The defense has played quite well despite what the scoreboard shows.
A bad play call on a fake punt run allowed the Falcons to score a late field goal. While down 15 points, the Cowboys scored a touchdown but missed the two-point conversion.
A great 38-yard catch by Michael Gallup set up a touchdown with 1:49 left and no timeouts. A successful onside kick by Greg Zuerlein kept hope for a comeback alive. From 47 yards out with five seconds remaining on the clock, Greg the Leg kicked a field goal to win the game 40-39.
FINAL SCORE: Dallas Cowboys win 40-39
Key Notes
- Two dropped interceptions (Diggs & Worley)
- Two failed fake punts (underthrown pass & short run)
- Falcons were winning 20-0 in the first quarter
- A successful onside kick by Greg Zuerlein
- Game-winning field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
- Dallas scored 23 points in the second half
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The Dallas Cowboys play on Sunday, September 27 in Washington against the 1-0 Seahawks Seahawks next week at 3:25 p.m. CDT on FOX.