Forgotten awful decision from Mike McCarthy screwed Cowboys in Week 3 loss

For the second straight game, and third consecutive home game, the Dallas Cowboys turned in a terrible performance. While Mike McCarthy's group only lost to the Ravens by a field goal on Sunday, they were getting blown out before they stormed back in the fourth quarter.

It looked the part of a fake comeback, but the Cowboys were shockingly one defensive stop away from getting the ball back late with a chance to win. They also failed on two separate two-point conversion attempts. Those four points loomed large in the three-point loss.

CeeDee Lamb's red zone fumble was also the turning point in the game. On top of that, Dallas would have been set up with 1st-and-goal with seconds left in the first half after Lamb was mauled on a deep route. However, a hold on Tyler Guyton resulted in offsetting penalties and the team settled for a field goal. If the offense scores before the half, maybe they win the game.

It's easy to look back on missed opportunities in a one-score loss. In that case, Mike McCarthy deserves to be held accountable for a questionable decision in the third quarter.

Mistake from Mike McCarthy cost the Cowboys in Week 3 loss vs. Ravens

The Cowboys put together a strong drive with roughly 12 minutes left in the third quarter while trailing 28-6. However, two errors from Guyton completely derailed their momentum. Guyton was flagged for holding on 1st-and-10 and then allowed a sack on 3rd-and-18 that pushed the offense back close to midfield.

Rather than trot out Brandon Aubrey for a 65-yard field goal, McCarthy brought out the punt operation. Did McCarthy want to pin the Ravens deep? Dallas was already trailing by three scores, so why not give Aubrey a chance to draw a little loser?

Punting accomplished nothing. While the defense was able to force a Baltimore punt, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession. Aubrey had already drilled a 65-yard field goal (a franchise record) with room to spare earlier in the game.

Had McCarthy opted to kick (and Aubrey came through), Dallas would have cut the lead to 28-16 following their first TD of the fourth quarter. They went on to score two more touchdowns, the last of which would have tied the game had Aubrey made the 65-yarder.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but punting made very little sense in that situation. The Cowboys were chasing points and they have a virtually automatic kicker who had already made a 65-yarder. The outcome of the game may have looked different if McCarthy trusted his all-word kicker instead of getting conservative.

More Cowboys news and analysis