The Dallas Cowboys fall to the Los Angeles Rams 20-17 in what was both a disappointing start to the game as well as a disappointing finish. The Cowboys had opportunities throughout the game but were inconsistent on both sides of the footbal. That inconsistency and the injuries they were dealing with were too much to overcome.
It was a slow start to the season for the Dallas Cowboys, who fell behind quickly to the Los Angeles Rams, who opened the game on a seven-play 75-yard drive that ended with a Malcolm Brown one-yard touchdown. The game started with remnants of the divisional round playoff loss in 2018 as the Cowboys couldn't get off the field defensively as Sean McVay and the Rams had everything working early on.
Things began to settle down for the Cowboys in the second quarter as they were able to hold the Rams to just two field goals. The Cowboys got two touchdowns from Ezekiel Elliott in the second, one on a one-yard run near the end of the half, which allowed the Cowboys to take the lead going into halftime.
The first half was marred with injuries for the Cowboys, losing Leighton Vander Esch, Cam Erving, and Blake Jarwin all before the break.
After the Cowboys punted on their first possession of the second half, the Rams were able to move the ball with very little resistance on their way to a short Malcolm Brown touchdown run to give Los Angeles a 20-14 lead.
The Cowboys, unfortunately, were unable to answer the bell on their ensuing drive, going three and out and punting the ball back to the Rams. Fortunately, Jared Goff, under pressure, was intercepted by Chidobe Awuzie and the Cowboys turned that into three points to cut the lead to three.
Dallas then forced a three and out and were able to move the ball down to inside the 11-yard line. On 3rd and 6, the Cowboys gave the ball to Ezekiel Elliott for three yards leading to a fourth-down call that came up short when Jordan Fuller weaved through the defense to stop CeeDee Lamb after the reception and force the turnover on downs.
Trevon Diggs came up with a huge stop on the Rams' final possession as they attempted to run out the clock. On 3rd and 3 at the Rams 47, Los Angeles ran a wide toss that was strung out well, but there was still room to the outside if Malcolm Brown could get by Diggs. Diggs came up with the clutch tackle to force fourth down and give the Dallas Cowboys one more shot.
With 2:28 on the clock, the Dallas Cowboys took over at their nine-yard line and down three points.
Dak Prescott hit Amari Cooper for a couple of short completions that led to a first down on the drive, just before the two-minute warning. After picking up a first down on a short Ezekiel Elliott run, Dak Prescott found Michael Gallup deep down the left sideline, but the play was ruled offensive pass interference.
It was a weak call by the officiating crew as Gallup extended, but Jalen Ramsey had his hands all over Michael Gallup as well. It was the typical kind of hand-fighting you see on just about every route ran in the NFL.
After that, the Cowboys were stuck in a 3rd and 20 situation and that they couldn't overcome. Now the Dallas Cowboys head back to Texas to prepare for the Atlanta Falcons, who also need to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home.
