Dallas’ season ends after some questionable decisions against NYG

The last significant throw in the cold and rain of MetLife Stadium finally ended the season for the Cowboys Sunday afternoon.

Dallas played for a post-season spot, a position it did not deserve, but which could be considered because of how weak the NFC East was in 2020.

Quarterback Andy Dalton, who played with a bloody left hand covered by a glove, tried to avoid a bag against the Giants late in the fourth quarter. But Dalton’s pass, on a third and a goal from the Giants 17, was intercepted in the final zone by Xavier McKinney.

And with that, the slim play-off hope for the Cowboys ended with a 23-19 loss to the Giants. The season is now over. The Cowboys will be worried about the NFL draft, instead of a possible playoff game. It was a poor start by the Cowboys on Sunday and a wild finish. The Giants will now wait for the clash between Washington and Philadelphia on Sunday night to decide whether to make it to the post-season.

Here are five takeaways from Cowboys-Giants:

No Challenge by McCarthy

You can go back and watch several plays in an NFL game and think those decided it. But Dante Pettis’ 10-yard reception on a third and 16th halfway through the fourth quarter set up a 50-yard field goal by Giants kicker Graham Gano.

The question is whether Pettis made a dive catch. It looked like Pettis had caught the ball, but the referees ruled it was a catch on the field. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy did not dispute the game. He kept looking at the video replay board and just watched the event go by. In a season of gambling by McCarthy, especially on false points, it was a situation in which he had to gamble.

Gano overcame the field goal with 6:27 left, forcing the Cowboys to get their last ride. McCarthy’s inaction hurt his team.

The fuss that was … or was it not?

As the giants kicked the clock, Walter Gallman Jr., the spinner, burst loose from lineout player Jaylon Smith for a big win. But Gallman fed the ball in the wet weather and a wild scene ensued. Bodies were everywhere and Gallman certainly repaired the fumble. Or did he?

A repeat shows him sitting on the loose ball. Another repetition shows him with the ball in his arms while lying on the ground. The Cowboys swore they had recovered the ball, and referees at various points awarded possession on both sides before finally deciding the ball belonged to New York.

It looked like the refs got this one right. Did they?

Kellen Moore stays

On Saturday night, the Cowboys signed offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for a three-year extension. After the weak first half through his offense, there were questions about why Dallas would do it. But Moore saved himself in the second half when the attack on the Cowboys took over the game.

Moore retained is another example of how much the Cowboys’ front office appreciates him, including coach Mike McCarthy. The future looks good with Moore as some of the offensive pieces – Dak Prescott, La’el Collins, Blake Jarwin and Tyron Smith – can return from injuries in 2021.

“I think the obvious continuity, consistency and just the opportunity to really grow and that’s all the way through,” McCarthy said on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] before the match.

‘Grow with him as a player who riots and grows this system of offense we have put together, and get all our players healthy again and build on what we will achieve here in the next few weeks for this season. We had a good start and we have a good foundation for the offense and we just want to keep building. ”

Turnover

In the last four games, the Cowboys defense has converted 12 takeaways into 57 points. Donovan Wilson intercepted and Chidobe Awuzie recovered a ploy in Sunday’s game.

It’s amazing how different this team played when they forced turnover. One of the biggest things the Cowboys were worried about drafting or signing players in the free agency is making sure they have playmakers. Does the Cowboys have any defense now? Clearly, Wilson – he had a pick and a bag on Sunday – and rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs, who has been selected three times this season, played well. Going forward and worrying about generating revenue is something you do not have to worry about.

A first half to forget

In the first half, the Cowboys acted as if they had nothing to play for. They won on the third round 1-7. Ezekiel Elliott rushed 27 yards out and left the game with an apparent leg injury. Andy Dalton was sacked three times and played as if he was still on the sad Bengal.

And yes, the Cowboys had five penalties for 48 yards, including a bad one on cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who hit a Giants tight end in the chin behind a play, and Connor McGovern, a false start, while the Cowboys try to point the ball. before rest. Linebacker Jaylon Smith was named because he kept going when he played a pass, and immediately started celebrating and thought he was not being punished.

Dallas trailed 20-9 at halftime.

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