The Cowboys got off to a slow offensive start, putting them in a double-digit deficit against the Cardinals.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys trail the Arizona Cardinals, 17-7, on Monday Night Football with the game airing on WFAA.
Dallas once again got off to a slow start offensively. Despite driving the length of the field on the first possession, they stalled in the red zone. Instead of kicking a short field goal, the Cowboys went for it on fourth down and Dak Prescott took a sack. The Cowboys ended the first quarter scoreless.
The offensive struggles continued to open the second quarter. As the Cowboys were driving down the field, Dak Prescott hit Jake Ferguson, who fumbled the ball and allowed the Cardinals to recover. Overall, the Cowboys’ offense finished the first half with 122 total yards of offense.
Statistically, on offense in the first quarter, the Cowboys failed to convert a single third down on two attempts. Meanwhile, the Cardinals converted four of five third downs. They continued the efficiency throughout the remainder of the first half, converting seven of nine on third down. Arizona offensively totaled 48 rushing yards and 142 passing yards.
The first scoring highlight of the game for the Cowboys came courtesy of the Special Teams unit. Sam Williams blocked a Pat O’Donnell punt, and Marshawn Kneeland recovered the ball in the end zone to hand the Cowboys their first points of the game. The Dallas offense ultimately never found the end zone. Perhaps the most surprising moment of the first half came on the final play. The Cowboys set up kicker Brandon Aubrey for a 68-yard field goal attempt as time expired. In a rare event, he missed the kick, which would have been a new career long for him. The miss was his first of the season.
If the Cowboys want a chance to come back in the second half, they have to get things going on offense.
