Game Observations: In a close loss, the little things matter

Well, Cowboys Nation, here we are again on a Monday talking about what the Dallas Cowboys could have done better to secure a victory. The 27-21 loss in Atlanta stings a little more than usual because this game did feel slightly different.

We got used to seeing the Cowboys come out flat and be dominated early in the game, then have to roar back into contention in the second half. This time, it was a close game throughout nearly the entire affair, and then the wheels fell off.

One of the things I have been harping on this season is that this team is poorly coached. They are poorly prepared, the coaches seem incapable of in-game adjustments, and also incapable of preparing a gameplan during the week to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses.

The evidence of a poorly coached team is obvious when we watch them play the games. In a close loss like yesterday, the little things matter, and the Cowboys have been terrible at the little things.

Here are some of my observations of yesterday’s game that should concern all Cowboys fans, and also explain why this team just fell to 3-5 on the season.

11 vs 10

It didn’t take long for the Cowboys to show us that they weren’t going to be prepared for the Falcons’ offense. This time, it was the defense.

Facing a 3rd & 4 from the Cowboys’ 16-yard line on their second drive of the game, the Falcons lined up in a five-wide set. Kirk Cousins sent RB Bijan Robinson in motion to the left and hit him with a swing pass at the snap.

Bijan easily picked up the first down, but upon closer examination, the Cowboys only had 10 players on the field. Up 3-0 with a chance to get the defense off the field, the defense makes a high school-level mistake by not getting all 11 players on the field.

There wasn’t a soul to account for Robinson, and he picked up a first down that eventually led to the first touchdown of the game.

Surprise Sack Party

One of the reasons I picked the Cowboys to win the game is because I expected Dak Prescott to have more time to throw than usual. The Falcons ranked dead last in the NFL with only six sacks on the year, and are also near the bottom of the league in QB pressures.

Atlanta sacked Prescott three times. That’s half of their season total in just one game. It feels like the Cowboys’ coaches took the Falcons’ defensive line for granted and expected to win all the one-on-one matchups. That type of arrogance is what gets the team in trouble.

On one series, the game could have been different if the Cowboys could have responded to the Falcons’ first touchdown. Instead, Prescott was sacked on consecutive plays to end the drive.

The First Down is THAT Way

Down 7-3 and riding high after a sack fumble recovery, the Cowboys looked poised to drive down the field and take the lead. Positive plays took them into Atlanta territory where they would face a crucial 4th & 1.

After a timeout to assess the situation, HC Mike McCarthy sent his offense back out onto the field for the 4th down attempt. CeeDee Lamb sprinted across the formation and took a jet sweep handoff for…a three-yard loss.

I only have one question for you, coach. Do you know that the first down is just one yard in the other direction? Why would you call a horizontal run with your wide receiver when the first down is just one yard away and your running back was averaging over four yards per carry?

It’s almost a form of self-sabotage. Let’s call the exact opposite type of play that will be successful and try to catch teams off guard.

Trust Your QB

Down 14-10 at the half, the Cowboys received the second half kickoff hoping to drive down the field and take the lead. However, a quick three & out would bring the punt team out.

Bryan Anger takes the snap and drops back to pass? A quick incompletion later and the Falcons had a 1st & 10 at the Cowboys’ 38-yard line.

It was 4th & 2. Why not just leave the offense on the field and let your QUARTERBACK throw the ball? You know, the one that you just gave a $240 million contract to. The decision-making by this coaching staff is insane.

Atlanta would quickly score to make it 21-10.

12 Angry Men

The Cowboys’ offense would again get into Atlanta territory and face another 4th down attempt. Here comes another high school level mistake.

It’s 4th & 1. The team is down 21-10 and driving to make it a one-score game. A flag is thrown for too many men on the field. The 4th & 1 quickly turns into a 4th & 6, and McCarthy sends the punt team out on the field.

Again, poor coaching and poor preparation caused the 12 men on the field error, and ended another promising drive.

It All Ends

The drive that ended with that 12 men on the field penalty was really the Cowboys’ last chance to come back. Atlanta would move on to score yet another touchdown to extend their lead to 27-10.

Then, Prescott strained his hamstring and Lamb hurt his shoulder to add injury to insult. If Prescott has to miss an extended period of time, don’t expect Cooper Rush to come and save the day again. This team doesn’t possess the type of defense needed to support a backup quarterback.

The season may be over, guys. The only silver lining is that this piss-poor coaching staff is likely out the door along with it. On to the 2025 draft season.