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5 plays that buried the Cowboys in loss to Falcons

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5 plays that buried the Cowboys in loss to Falcons


The Dallas Cowboys suffered their third straight loss with a 27-21 final score in Atlanta. On top of it all, both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb had potentially serious injuries that could impact their availability moving forward. There were a ton of big, impactful plays in this one, but these five deserve special attention for how they sum up the game and season: a general lack of detail.

Zack Martin misses huge block on screen pass

The Cowboys defense got off to a good start in this one, forcing a punt on the opening drive of the game. In turn, the offense came out scorching too, with Dak Prescott completing all five of his passes and quickly getting into scoring range.

After a first down run to Rico Dowdle, Dallas moved just inside the red zone at the Atlanta 19. On second down, Prescott hit Dowdle on a screen pass, but he was tackled immediately for a loss of four. Linebacker Kaden Elliss made the tackle after blowing right by Zack Martin, who completely whiffed on his block.

On the replay, the missed opportunity set in. Dowdle had a wide open field in front of him and very likely would’ve scored a touchdown if Martin had made his block. But on third and 12, Dallas was unable to move the chains and had to settle for a field goal. This was an early four-point swing in a game that was ultimately decided by six points.

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Kaden Elliss left unblocked on fourth-down attempt

Credit where it’s due, as the Dallas defense did their best in this one despite being down so many key players. After recovering a strip sack, they set their offense up to retake the lead down 7-3, but miscommunication on a third-down run set up fourth and short.

Dallas opted to go for it, and the Falcons were loading up the middle of the defensive line. Dak Prescott appeared to make an audible at the line, and he brought CeeDee Lamb in motion for a jet sweep handoff. However, Kaden Elliss got to him right away and held him up for a turnover on downs.

The replay pointed out how few defenders were over on the side of the field that Lamb was running to. Had Elliss been blocked at all – no Cowboys player even touched him at the snap – Lamb would have easily had the first down and possibly even scored. Once again, the little things doomed Dallas here.

Trevon Diggs missed tackle sets up Falcons touchdown

Following the failed fourth down from Dallas, the Falcons took over right at midfield and had a chance to go up by two scores. They quickly started driving, but a holding call erased a big third-down conversion and instead set up third and 14.

Taking a shotgun snap, Kirk Cousins quickly hit Kyle Pitts for a catch-and-run. Trevon Diggs came up to meet Pitts at the 42-yard line, but opted to go for a big hit instead of wrapping up for the tackle. Pitts easily evaded him and picked up an additional six yards.

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He still came up short of the first down, but Atlanta was now looking at fourth and three instead of fourth and nine. That made all the difference, as the Falcons went for it and ultimately scored a 36-yard touchdown after Diggs got caught up in traffic. However, that play likely never even happens if Diggs goes for a more sound tackle on third down.

Terence Steele false start kills drive before it even starts

The Cowboys got the ball to start the second half and things were somewhat trending their way. The defense had been solid, the offense was starting to gain traction, and they were only down 14-10. A touchdown to start the third quarter would put them in the lead.

Before they had even snapped the ball, and before a second had even come off the clock, Dallas found a way to go backwards. On first down, Terence Steele moved early and was promptly hit with a false start penalty. Pre-snap penalties are hard to stomach in general, but they’re especially inexcusable on the first play of the half right out of the break.

The penalty backed Dallas up five yards, starting them out behind schedule. They ended up punting after three plays, but they came up just two yards shy of the first down. They picked up 13 yards on plays where they actually snapped the ball, but the penalty from Steele ensured that it wouldn’t be enough and squandered their chance at retaking the lead.

KaVontae Turpin can’t stay in bounds on punt return

After Dak Prescott was ruled out for the game, Cooper Rush came in and predictably struggled, with the Cowboys punting. But the Falcons were also forced to punt, and that’s when KaVontae Turpin ripped off a solid punt return.

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Turpin got outside to the edge and started tiptoeing down the sideline, picking up 16 yards in total before going out of bounds. The heartbreak came on the replay, when a wide open field was visible. If Turpin had managed to keep himself in bounds on the sideline, he very well could have scored on this return.

Down 27-13 with just under eight minutes left in the game, that play could’ve changed everything. The Cowboys were going to need some big plays to make a comeback with Rush under center, and a Turpin house call would certainly have fit the bill. As it turned out, though, Dallas ended up turning it over on downs on that drive, leaving everyone with thoughts of what could’ve been. And in that sense, it summed up a thematic throughline for this entire season as the team dropped to 3-5.



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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle


The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.

Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.

On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.

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Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.

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Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on the sidelines before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.

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“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”

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It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.

The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity


Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

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The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

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Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing


Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

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LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

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A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds. 

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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