The NFL doesn’t give style points, but Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle made a good case for implementing them on Sunday in a 27-21 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons.
Shortly before halftime, trailing 14-3, the Cowboys drove to the edge of the Falcons’ end zone … and then chaos ensued.
Taking the snap from the 3-yard line, quarterback Dak Prescott backpedaled all the way to the 20, then eluded three Falcons before lofting a pass in Dowdle’s direction. The ball popped up as Dowdle hit the ground, and then dropped right into his waiting hands. You know, just like it was drawn up in the huddle.
It was Prescott’s lone touchdown pass in Sunday’s defeat. Prescott didn’t finish the game as he suffered a hamstring injury. He went 18-for-24 for 133 passing yards and the TD to Dowdle before Cooper Rush took over.
The Cowboys were in desperate need of a victory entering Sunday 3-4 and already buried deep in the NFC playoff race. Hampered by injuries, Dallas will have an uphill fight against future opponents.