Second half of Dallas Cowboys vs the Undefeated Atlanta Falcons

Felix Jones, has a great run and a first down to start the quarter. A few plays later another great run and they are at mid field with a first down. Atlanta is successful in their blitz on a 3rd down and Dallas punts.

It’s interesting to note that neither team has been in the end zone yet in this game. Will the first team to get there take the game? An 18 yard pass to Julio Jones and the Falcons have a first down. Then on a 3rd down and 12 under heavy pressure Matt Ryan throws on the move and they have a first down. Next play another nice throw to Roddy White and they are at mid field with a first down.

Dallas defense makes a good play on 3rd down and they force Atlanta to attempt a field goal. Once again they miss the field goal and Dallas gets the ball back with the score still tied. Honestly i think we can call this an evening of missed opportunities for both teams. Two missed field goals for Atlanta and twice Dallas has been very deep in Falcon territory and did not get the points.

Once again Dallas seems to be moving the ball well but just as they are reaching mid field they get a holding call to hurt their progress. Another play with short yardage and it brings up a 3rd and 13 making another must convert and Romo throws an incomplete pass and it’s 4th down and the kicking team comes on the field.

The kick is great and for some reason the Atlanta return team decides to return the ball from the 2 but they are stopped on the spot. But Dallas draws a penalty from the kick by having a man go out of bounds, giving Atlanta the opportunity to force a re-kick with a 5 yard penalty, and on the next kick Atlanta get the ball out to the 14 or so instead of being pinned down deep in their own territory.

A huge run by Michael Turner, 43 yards, and Atlanta suddenly has great field position with a first down deep in Dallas territory with just over a half minute in the 3rd quarter. Shortly after that Atlanta finally gets in to the end zone getting the first touchdown of the game and Atlanta has the lead for the first time in the game. Score is 13 to 6.

A 3 and out on the Cowboys here is the last thing they wanted but that is what happens and they must punt so Atlanta gets the ball back with unanswered points from their previous drive.

Dallas needs a big defensive play here now more than ever and Atlanta needs a score now to give them a two score lead and a big run gets them into field goal range, even though after 2 misses so far they are likely concentrating on the end zone.

Dallas defense makes a big play and a sack and forces them into a 2nd and long but they get a 10 yard run and its 3rd and 10. Ryan goes to the air and it’s incomplete and they must kick. On a 36 yard attempt his 5th kick of the night and they get the field goal and extend their lead to 16 to Dallas 6.

A handful of short passes and Dallas is moving the ball well and staying in a no huddle offense and very quickly they are in the end with a pass to Kevin Ogletree. So in less than 2 and half minutes they have made it a 3 point game again and the score is Dallas 13 to Atlanta 16.

Dallas misses what is likely their most important play of the game and on 3rd down they open a big hole in the middle and Atlanta gets a first down with just over 3 minutes in the game and the Falcons are at mid field. Dallas is forced to use up their time outs to stop the clock between each play while on defense.

Then Dallas blows it again on the 3rd down with a holding call and Atlanta gets the first down with the call. On the next play Dallas must use their last time out and it’s 2nd and 5 with just over 3 minutes in the game.

Atlanta gets another first down and they are in Dallas territory but more importantly, as we hit the 2 minute warning Dallas must force a turnover or keep Atlanta from making a field goal in order to have a small chance to do something if they are able to get the ball back with any time left on the clock since they are completely out of time outs.

Atlanta goes for the field goal and there is 22 seconds left so Dallas will get the ball back with 17 seconds on the clock. Score is Atlanta 19 to Dallas 13.

They will have 17 seconds and may have just enough time to run 2 plays if they manage to get out of bounds on the play.

Two plays at 3 and 4 seconds each they get a first down and they need a hail mary. A 3rd play of the same thing and they still need about 60 yards for the score. The last play of the game is a decent one but the receiver runs out of time and he is tackled and the game is over.

Atlanta Falcons wins over the Dallas Cowboys 19 to 13.