It was a valiant effort for the Cowboys, especially a team coming off last week’s humiliating loss in Buffalo.
Dak Prescott orchestrated a 17-play, 66-yard drive in the fourth quarter to score an Aahead Touchdown in the fourth quarter. This was a scenario and sequence where the Cowboys offense could prove itself under pressure. The Cowboys’ defense also played well against the powerful Dolphins, holding the league’s top scoring offense to one touchdown and five field goals.
However, the 22-20 loss was decided by two key mistakes that may have been the difference.
Dallas drove the length of the field on its opening possession with nearly eight minutes off the clock, setting the tone that successful road teams would demonstrate. But a lost fumble on Prescott’s handoff to fullback Hunter Le Epke on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line ruined a great start and points left on the board for a two-point loss.
A facemask penalty on the first play of the Dolphins’ game-winning drive set them up for success. Tua Tagovailoa and Co. advanced on a short pass to Pepper Dallas before Jeff Wilson Jr. ran the final first down to set up Jason Sanders’ game-winning field goal from 29 yards.
“It was a very close game, and it was the kind of situational football we expected,” said Coach McCarthy. “The face mask penalty was a big decision.” [on the final drive]. It’s tough because you know in games like this the game is decided by one play, but maybe they made one or two plays that we didn’t make. Sho. ”
The Cowboys (10-5) will host the Detroit Lions (11-4) in Week 17 before traveling to Washington for their final game of the regular season. Beating a four-man command team on the road won’t change the Cowboys’ struggle story away from Dallas, but they experienced how small the margin of error is.
McCarthy’s team will do their best, hoping to overcome these road challenges on the biggest stage.