Despite going into halftime with a semblance of momentum after Dak Prescott and Rico Dowdle scored a circus touchdown late in the second quarter, it took less than five minutes into the second half for the wheels to come off.
It felt like the Dallas Cowboys had to score on their first drive, but a false start on Terence Steele contributed to a quick three and out. Approaching midfield, it seemed like an obvious go for it situation, but Mike McCarthy brought out the punt operation.
While punting was disappointing, switching the fields wasn't the worse-case scenario. No, the worse-case scenario is what McCarthy and special teams coordinator John Fassel dialed up to try and catch the Atlanta Falcons off-guard.
The Cowboys ran a fake punt (!) with Bryan Anger throwing it to C.J. Goodwin. Baffling decision to begin with and it was compounded by Goodwin slipping, which gave the play no chance.
Mike McCarthy baffling fake punt vs. Falcons blew up in Cowboys' face.
The Cowboys fake punt is almost intercepted!
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
📺: #DALvsATL on FOX
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Pathetic. Desperate. Destructive. Any word in the dictionary that has negative connotations can describe that decision. While Fassel introduced and designed the idea, that McCarthy sanctioned it in a pivotal moment in the game proves he has lost the plot.
Going for it in that spot is totally fine. Having Anger throw the ball instead of Prescott is simply indefensible.
The turnover on downs gave the Falcons a short field. Sure enough, they were in the end zone five plays later on a Kirk Cousins touchdown throw to a wide-open Ray-Ray McCloud. It made the score 21-10, so it took no time at all for McCarthy's reckless decision to come back to bite.
It has been a terrible day at the office for the Cowboys' head coach. Earlier in the game, McCarthy called a jet sweep to CeeDee Lamb on 4th-and-1. Lamb was tackled short of the sticks. McCarthy then slammed a tablet in frustration in a pathetic display.
On Dallas' very next possession after the failed fake punt, they were flagged for 12 men in the huddle on 4th-and-1. Not to mention, Steele's false start on the first play out of halftime. These are tell-tale signs of a poorly-coached football team and they have been a common theme throughout the season.
The Cowboys still have a chance to win, but it will be in spite of McCarthy if they pull it off. Jerry Jones has stated he isn't considering a mid-season coaching change, but the outspoken owner won't have any defense of his head coach for this performance.