If you watched the first quarter of this game, you would have thought the Dallas Cowboys were in the process of being blown out in their season opener, and maybe even changed the game. By the fourth quarter though, the Atlanta Falcons had to start having flashbacks of Super Bowl LI.
During that misery of a first quarter the Dallas Cowboys had four fumbles, and lost three of them. The Falcons used those turnovers to build an early three possession lead, including a 42-yard pass to a wide open Hayden Hurst. He would finish the game with five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Thanks to big plays from Dak Prescott, and Michael Gallup; the Dallas Cowboys were able to shred the Falcons lead in the second half. Gallup had a 38-yard catch that would step up for a Dak Prescott rushing touchdown with under two minutes to go. Even with all that magic though, the Cowboys still needed a little luck in order to steal the win.
Greg Zuerlein lined up for what was one of the best kicked, most awkward looking onside kicks you will ever see. As the ball spun towards Atlanta they seemingly forgot they didn’t have to wait the 10-yard rule that the offense does, thus allowing Dallas to come up with the onside kick.
CeeDee Lamb came down with six catches for 106 yards in the game, but none were more important than his 24-yard reception with under 1:30 left in the game. Dallas would run a few more plays before clocking the ball with 0:05 left on the clock. From 46-yards out, Greg Zuerlien hits the game winning field goal as time expires.
Despite the loss, the Falcons played an amazing game. Before today, NFL teams that scored 39+ points with zero turnovers were 440-0. Matt Ryan finished the game completing 26 of his 43 pass attempts for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Julio Jones was only held to two catches for 14 yards today, but Calvin Ridley more than made up for it with his seven receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
It wasn’t enough to trump Dak Prescott’s 468 total yards, and four total touchdowns though. Along with CeeDee Lamb’s big day, Amari Cooper also came down with six catches for 100 yards. Dalton Schultz, who is filling in for the injured Blake Jarwin, led the team with nine receptions and had 88 yards and a touchdown on the day. Ezekiel Elliott led the game with 122 total scrimmage yards, and also had one of the hardest touchdown runs I have seen in a minute.
Dallas won’t be able to enjoy this win too much sadly. They face a tough NFC opponent in the Seattle Seahawks who are fresh off a 35-30 victory over the New England Patriots. As for the Atlanta Falcons, they must shake off this terrible loss before they face off against the Chicago Bear in Week 3.
