3. The Missed Challenge Call & A Horrific 4th and Inches Attempt
This is what you call a two-for-one special. This was such an embarrassing sequence of events in this game, and it will likely be reviewed and talked about all over sports television this week.
The first thing that happened was an egregious miss by head coach Mike McCarthy. Down 14-0, the ‘Boys were trying to make something happen on offense. On a 3rd and 9 in Dallas territory, CeeDee Lamb caught a pass. He was met with pressure well before the line to gain but fought to push the pile further. Then, he extended his arm out, and from the couch, it certainly looked like Lamb extended the ball far enough past the first-down line.
The replay seemed to reiterate the same thing. It was even obvious enough that the NBC broadcasters wondered why Dallas wasn’t challenging the spot.
Instead of doing that, and with plenty of time left on the clock, the Cowboys rushed into a 4th and inches play from their own 34-yard line. Once again, there was plenty of time left in the second quarter.
The play called to keep the drive going? Not a quarterback sneak. Not hanging the ball to Ezekiel Elliott or Tony Pollard. Inches away from the line to gain, Rush ran a bootleg and tried to find an open receiver several yards away with no luck.
This was just a horrible sequence of football and embarrassing decision-making all around. Not only did this force the Cowboys’ defense back on the field quickly, but it gave the Philly crowd something to be very excited about.