In one of the season’s most anticipated matchups, the Dallas Cowboys travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins.
It’s a battle of the top two scoring offenses in the NFL, and the expectation is they will smash the O/U 49.5 line from Vegas.
1st Quarter
The Cowboys won the toss, and perhaps considering the decision to kick last week, Mike McCarthy took the ball this time.
Dallas started with an impressive opening drive, but it ended in disaster.
McCarthy started the game with creative plays using wide receivers Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb in the backfield.
The Cowboys ended up with a 3rd & Goal from inside the one-yard line, and disaster struck.
Dak Prescott handed the ball to Hunter Luepke, but he never got a hold of the ball, and the Dolphins recovered the unfortunate fumble.
The Dallas defense forced a third and long, and the Dolphins’ speed was on display.
Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa fired a pass up the right sideline to a streaking Jaylen Waddle who hauled in the pass for a 49-yard gain.
Miami, set up in Cowboys’ territory, converted a 57-yard field goal attempt by Jason Sanders for a 3-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, McCarthy continued to attack the Dolphins’ defense.
With a free release off the line, Lamb caught a short crossing route from Prescott and rumbled to the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown for a 7-3 lead.
Tagovailoa again took the Dolphins into Cowboys’ territory on the strength of chunk plays to Cedrick Wilson and Robby Chosen.
2nd Quarter
Another big run by Raheem Mostert put the ball inside the 15-yard line.
That set up a 4th & Goal from the five-yard line.
McDaniel decided to leave his offense on the field, but Dan Quinn’s defense came up with a stop to give the ball back to the offense.
Pinned near their own endzone and facing a 3rd and long play, Prescott fired incomplete, but a roughing the passer penalty on Miami extended the drive.
Another 3rd and long would force Dallas to punt for the first time in the game.
The Dolphins’ offense again was able to move the ball into Cowboys’ territory, this time ending the drive with yet another 50+ yard field goal from Sanders.
A 3 & out by the Dallas offense gave the ball right back to Miami with just under three minutes to play, and a chance to take the lead before the half.
They did just that.
After driving into Cowboys’ territory once again, and phantom roughing the passer call on Micah Parsons gave the Dolphins a new set of downs.
Tagovailoa hit Raheem Mostert on a play where he snuck out of the backfield for an easy touchdown.
Miami lead 13-7 at halftime.
3rd Quarter
Miami received the 2nd half kickoff, but were forced to punt after just one first down.
A great punt by Miami pinned Dallas inside the five yard line, where they would be forced to punt.
Yet another drive would end with a 50+ yard field goal by Sanders, extending the lead to 16-7.
Needing to get the offense going, Prescott fired a bomb up the right sideline to a streaking Jalen Tolbert for a 45 yard catch.
The drive would stall after an illegal shift penalty, and Dallas would settle for a 43-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal.
Miami would once again move the ball into Cowboys’ territory and settle for a field goal.
Sanders would knock through his fourth field goal of the day, this time from 35 yards away to extend the lead to 19-10.
4th Quarter
Prescott and the offense would move the ball into Dolphins’ territory.
They finally got a penalty to go in their favor by drawing an illegal contact penalty on a crucial 3rd down.
Unfortunately, they would again settle for a field goal from Aubrey from 33 yards away to narrow the score to 19-13.
On the ensuing drive, the Cowboys defense would continue their solid play, forcing a 3rd down to set up their first sack of the day.
Facing their own 3rd & 6, Prescott would connect with Lamb for his first reception since the first quarter.
Now in Miami territory, the offense would stay on the field for a crucial 4th & 2, and again would hit Lamb for a first down.
The crucial plays would continue after a 4th & Goal from the five yard line.
A whip route by Turpin would draw a pass interference penalty to give Dallas a first down inside the one yard line.
A few plays later on yet another 3rd & Goal, Prescott would hit a dragging Brandin Cooks to cap a 17-play drive with a touchdown.
The Dallas defense would start the next drive in the spotlight and the Cowboys nursing a 20-19 lead.
With only 3:27 left in the game, the Dolphins started what they hoped would be the game-winning drive.
Their hopes came true.
The Cowboys defense couldn’t get a stop when it mattered most, and Sanders would hit his fifth and final field goal of the game for the winning margin of 22-20.
Scoring Plays
- Jason Sanders 57-yard field goal (MIA 3-0)
- CeeDee Lamb 49-yard pass from Dak Prescott (DAL 7-3)
- Jason Sanders 52-yard field goal (MIA 6-7)
- Raheem Mostert 4-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (MIA 13-7)
- Jason Sanders 54-yard field goal (MIA 16-7)
- Brandon Aubrey 43-yard field goal (DAL 10-16)
- Jason Sanders 35-yard field goal (MIA 19-10)
- Brandon Aubrey 33-yard field goal (DAL 13-19)
- Brandin Cooks 8-yard pass from Dak Prescott (DAL 20-19)
- Jason Sanders 29-yard field goal (MIA 22-20)
Yes it did and penalties
SHITSHOW!!!
Q.What could be better than the cowboys losing by 2 when a field goal good as time expires?A. If they lost by one after an apparently missed field goal but Mc Carthy called time out before the miss.
They won’t last in playoffs and I’m a fan I don’t trust them
We need Tyron and Hankins.
The only thing irritating was right before the fumble pollards feet was in the end zone and should have been ruled a td
Incorrect, it’s where forward progression stops because he was deemed a runner, both feet in the end zone is a TD regardless of where the ball is! Had McCarthy challenged it it would have been over turned. I’ve played the sport for 17 years!
Matthew Foster Madden football doesn’t count as playing football, Try again.
Terry Parson fuck Madden I ain’t got time for video games like you dude! I played pee wee up to my 2nd year of college as a Syracuse Orangemen where I broke my back and ended my career, nice lame ass try though miss terry!
Damn I upset a Karen
Matthew Foster some fans have eyes and understand the rules, but still make excuses.The ball must break the plane.
Dick Huss right on Sir! Ball must break the plane.
Matthew Foster no clown the ball has to cross the goal line to count.
If Pollard wasn’t a wimp and lowered his shoulder he would have scored
the feet were but the ball was not. it was clear. malik davis would have Punched it in.
The fumble wasn’t the only thing that cost them. Coaching cost them. Its the coaches job to bring the team together on the road and have them play as one just like they do at home.
1&Done
As the season dwindles down so do the expectations. This “high powered offense” vs slugs is pretty weak vs contenders. The usual with QB1 under center. He couldn’t even hand the ball off right on that goal line fumble. Under threw Tolbert and almost got picked. Just not a CLUTCH PLAYER. CeeDee. Is making him look better than what he is with YAC.
BTW, ex Cowboy Amari Cooper had more rec yards by himself today with Joe Flacco than QB1 had the whole game. Track record!!!
Still supporting dem boys
One play don’t change a game, red zone, coaching, no Dee, and the list go on..crazy.
Too many damn penalties, they continue to be the most penalized team. No FUCKING discipline!
That empty possession cost either 3 or 6-8 points, which makes the difference in the game outcome.
Doug Mackenzie this teams attention to details (especially on the road) and situational execution is horrible. This is squarely on The Coaching Staff, but I blame the Front Office (GM JJ VP’s SJ & McClay) for why no mid season personnel adjustments were made. This Team is desperately thin in multiple Player Groups (Interior DL-M. Smith might be a bust, LB- LVE & Overshown, OL- they’ve known for 3+ yrs. that T. Smith is not dependable).
Mark Montgomery front office depends on coaches saying players they want .
Why the signed Evans and looked at Leonard .
No GM signs anyone without coaches agreeing
Mark Montgomery they have multiple young offensive linemen both guards, tactics and center
Doug Mackenzie I had this same debate with lesser informed FB fans. I’m sure the entire Coaching staff gives input in all 3 Phases of Roster Construction (1. Draft. 2. Pre Season. 3. FA & Trade Deadline.), but let’s not kid ourselves the final decisions are on 1 man. Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones. We lost that Texas Kid (Overshown in Camp). We resigned LB LVE with a known injury history (2nd Major Neck Injury). Our Interior DL has been susceptible to Run Gashing for 3+ Seasons. Also, our OL is not what it was when drafted the Big 3:(Frederick, Martin & Smith). Finally, I love Pollard (we waited 1-2 seasons to implement him with Zeke), but he is not a Bell Cow RB. He skill set is best in space. Plus they insist on running that 1 RB set for a back that is not a power runner. How, often do you see him tackled in the backfield?
Doug Mackenzie the new Smith (Tyler) Kid is a stud. His future is Guard. #169 Asim Richards looks promising, but hasn’t broken through yet. The others are late round projects (Ball, Waletzko, Farniok). Center Biasdiaz is a solid Frederick replacement, but no All Pro. Steele and Udoga are FA signings. Once we experience an injury the whole QB protection and Run Blocking breaks down.
Mark Montgomery tackled in backfield because offensive line is a joke and the new offensive line coach is another McCarthy failure. Again those problems are all on McCarthy & Quinn Jerry isn’t going to draft and sign anyone without consensus opinion, why they drafted Martin and Not Johnny football
Mark Montgomery Richards & Walezko are solid Ball maybe a solid backup guard and Steele was signed because of how he played before ACL with proper coaching he is a solid RT. Biggest problem besides offensive line is Quinn and his failure to play sound positional football and rely on pressure, like yesterday when 3rd and 9 from Miami 10 and because of dumb defensive call “man” Miami completed a 50 yd pass and got FG instead of punting from deep in their end
Doug Mackenzie Sir please! DQ can only cook with the groceries he is supplied with. They don’t have the necessary personnel to make those adjustments everyone is screaming about. The results everyone wants can be only obtained with 3 Inputs: (1. Structural or Personnel 2. Scheme or Coaching-Game Plans and Adjustments. 3. Execution-Which is on the Players). This Defense is built for Speed, especially East to West pursuit only. DQ is forced to play Safeties at LB and he’s lost the ability to move his best player (Parsons) around because the have lost 2 LB’s to injury.From where do they generate Power? There is none! The player supposedly with some DL Interior presence is Dlaw. They are paying him Aaron Donald money and not getting AD results. Of those inputs, the biggest disadvantage is lack of quality Personnel.
Have you forgotten Who and What chased Bill Parcels (1 of the best HC and Defensive minds) away? The Who is Jerry Jones. The What is Personnel decisions. So please quit the whole Coaching argument. It has merit, but everyone knows who makes the final decisions in Texas.
Doug Mackenzie all good DQ historical points. I don’t mean to argue, but I believe all our frustrations begin and end with the GM who selected the HC and past Coordinators. We’ve rarely seen these type of Schematic failures and Structural (Personnel) shortcomings under our best Teams.
Mark Montgomery true he should have fired McCarthy when he found out he lied about watching every Cowboys play when he was out of football.
Remember though Jimmy would have done little without Walker trade. With that many picks you gotta get talent, even if Emmitt was an afterthought & he had so little trust in Aikman he drafted Dorsey with another 1st in same year His lack of success in Miami proved that
Fixing game is what costs Dallas.
Dick Huss being sarcastic your about as smart as a ball
if you play superior ball, one or two plays or penalties does not cause the loss.