Cowboys again fail to land first punch 

ATLANTA – So many occasions in life, we use the phrase “on the finish of the day …”

Appears to be an all-encompassing phrase that places a bow on what simply occurred. Nicely, how about we begin speaking about “at the beginning of the day” as a result of that is what retains shedding video games for this workforce.

Positive, punching again does not appear to be an issue for the Cowboys this 12 months. Nonetheless, touchdown the primary punch, or three, has been the difficulty and as soon as once more was the distinction right here towards the Falcons.

Like in any battle, the one who strikes first – particularly with a haymaker – goes to be in management. The Falcons not solely did that, constructing a 14-3 lead that changed into 21-10, and the Cowboys simply by no means recovered.

They did not recuperate towards the Saints in any respect again in Week 2. They tried to rally towards the Ravens the following week, nevertheless it was too late. We noticed it final week towards the 49ers and once more vs. the Falcons.

Positive, the Cowboys will battle, scratch, claw and all the opposite “battle” synonyms you wish to throw on the market. However the issue is, they don’t seem to be getting the primary punch in – that means they don’t seem to be taking the battle to their opponent.

Please, please, please do not mistake this column as a “hey, not less than they fought arduous to the tip” sort of article. That is not what I am saying in any respect. The Cowboys are paid professionals and speculated to battle for the total 60 minutes.

My level is that they don’t seem to be ever first out of the blocks. And I am not speaking about kicking an early area objective and main 3-0. I am speaking about this workforce getting the ball, whether or not it is on the opening kickoff or their first possession or to start out the third quarter, and taking place and making an announcement.

It simply hasn’t occurred – in any respect this complete season – and the Cowboys are paying for it.

They’re simply not ok to play catch-up, particularly with a protection that may’t cease the run. Whenever you’re down, after all the opponent goes to run the ball, and this Cowboys workforce is not geared up to maintain enjoying from behind.

And if that does not ever get mounted this 12 months, the Cowboys will proceed having these kind of video games. Positive, it is admirable that they proceed to battle – accidents and all. I am actually not going to dismiss what I noticed from CeeDee Lamb on the market right now.

Yeah, it is really easy to imagine guys like CeeDee receives a commission after which do not give the identical effort. Nicely, if you happen to imagine that, watch these 4 quarters of soccer and surprise the place he stands on the subject. His shoulder was mainly hanging down for all the second half, and he got here out a couple of times. However he nonetheless acquired again in there to catch a two-point conversion.

I truly tweeted within the fourth quarter that he wants to return out for good. Clearly, I am not a health care provider or coach, however from the look of the harm, he gave the impression to be in an excessive amount of ache for a 14-point sport late within the fourth quarter.

Jake Ferguson was just about in the identical state of affairs it appeared, limping out and in of the sport within the second half. So yeah, they stored combating. Even Dak Prescott needed to battle for a couple of performs with the hamstring harm earlier than he was pulled from the sport.

Once more, I am not questioning their effort, coronary heart, guts, depth or something like that. They turned this sport right into a six-point end when it felt extra like a blowout. They did the identical final week towards the 49ers and in addition towards the Ravens.

However I’ve stated this assertion again and again throughout my time overlaying the Cowboys – groups can win and lose video games in the course of the week.

And it simply appears to be taking place again and again the place the Cowboys are shedding due to an absence of preparation. They are not prepared for a full 4 quarters of execution.

Even on this sport, positive, that they had a pleasant begin – by this 12 months’s requirements – and acquired a cease on the primary drive and moved the ball on offense with the primary possession. However it’s the little issues. A false begin right here, unlawful movement there, missed block right here and 12-men within the huddle there. (Actually I feel I described one drive within the third quarter). However that is the epitome of what’s hurting this workforce.

I do not assume the Falcons are head and shoulders higher than the Cowboys from a expertise standpoint, however they do not should be. Atlanta had 4 penalties for 26 yards and the Cowboys have been flagged for 9 penalties for 55 yards.

The Falcons did not precisely play clear soccer themselves with a turnover and a missed extra-point. However they appeared to capitalize on the Cowboys’ miscues after they needed to.

Whenever you add this entire factor up, the Cowboys had loads of probabilities to win this sport. However on offense they got here up quick too many occasions, on protection they only did not make sufficient performs and even on particular groups they misplaced the battle with some expensive penalties and a botched faux punt.

It is like two golfers enjoying a spherical of 18 holes. One man retains getting a par and the opposite one is getting bogeys. With every gap, it is only a 5 and 4 on the scorecard. Add it up on the finish of the day, although, and it is an 18-stroke distinction.

This last rating wasn’t that extensive of a margin, however you get the purpose. The Cowboys have been proper there in nearly each class however not ok ultimately.

And as soon as once more, it is as a result of they positively weren’t ok at the beginning.