It was a bit odd to see the Dallas Cowboys only able to score 10 points against the New Orleans Saints Sunday night. They were averaging about 30 points a game through the first three weeks of the season, but unfortunately just about everything seemed to be bouncing the Saints way in this Week 4 matchup.
Luck just wasn’t on the side of the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night in prime time. The outcome of the few plays here and there ended up preventing them from remaining undefeated and that’s what I want to talk about today. Below are five plays that ended up swaying the outcome of the game in the Saints favor.
Let’s take a look…
Maher FG Instead of a Cobb TD – The Dallas Cowboys unfortunately had to settle for a Brett Maher field goal on their second offensive series Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints instead of what should’ve been a Randall Cobb touchdown. Dak Prescott had the opportunity to connect with Cobb in the back corner of the end zone after rolling out to his left, but unfortunately the ball was thrown about a foot to far out of his reach. A TD instead of a FG here could’ve completely changed the outcome of the game for the Cowboys.
Deonte Harris Breaks Free – The New Orleans Saints were able to flip the field position on the Dallas Cowboys on a 23 yard punt return by Deonte Harris. The Saints should’ve probably started on their own 25 yard line, but thanks to the big return by Harris they advanced to midfield. This play alone helped New Orleans claim the lead because a few plays later Will Lutz kicked the go-ahead FG putting his team ahead 6-3.
Jason Witten Coughs it up – Up until the point of Jason Witten’s fumble the Dallas Cowboys were winning the turnover battle against the Saints. Unfortunately, the out of character mistake by Witten after a 16 yard catch ended what looked like a promising drive by the Cowboys. If not for the fumble, it would’ve been 1st and 10 for Dallas at about midfield with them not too far from being in FG range. Luckily the Saints were unable to capitalize on the turnover and had to punt a few plays later.
No Elbow Room for Ezekiel Elliott – The New Orleans Saints are no strangers to controversial calls by referees, but they were on the winning side of a controversial Ezekiel Elliott fumble on a 4th and 1 play. The refs ruled Zeke had fumbled and claimed after reviewing the play via replay that there was no irrefutable evidence to overturn the call. It was a questionable decision on the officials part, but it ended yet another promising drive for the Cowboys and resulted in another FG for the Saints.
Dak and Cobb Fail to Connect Again – Just like earlier in the game, the Dak Prescott to Randall Cobb connection failed to complete a huge 3rd and 2 that would’ve of extended the Cowboys drive in the fourth quarter. Cobb was streaking across the field, but Prescott’s pass was thrown a little behind him. It looked as if No. 18 was thinking of picking up yards after the catch instead of securing the pass first. The completion would’ve extended the drive, but instead the Cowboys had to punt.
