Three big plays in the 1st half that helped turn the 2nd half

[Fletch]

I didn't see the second half due to having to work. So I left with the Cowboys up 28-17, but still was far from confident that they would be able to get the win.

To me, three plays played a huge role in Atlanta going into the locker room feeling good and being able to dominate the 2nd half and get the win.

1. The dropped interception by Mo. If he catches this ball that hits him right in the hands, we are directly taking 7 points off the board for Atlanta and potentially are able to stretch the lead to an even greater 21-0. Instead it's 14-7 two plays later.

2. The interception by Brandon Weeden. Atlanta wasn't even coming close to slowing down our offense sans Romo and Dez. Again, yet another opportunity to stretch the lead, and we throw a pick and give up 7 more points.

3. And finally, Garrett's insane decision to call a timeout with 40 seconds left and the ball on the ONE YARD LINE. Time isn't an issue, why would you call a timeout there? This allows Atlanta time to march down the field for a field goal and more than anything, get the offense flowing and go into the locker room with momentum.

These three plays and/or decisions cost this team 17 points. As always with this team, it was a complete team loss, with each and every facet of this team making mistakes to cost us the game.

I don't know why we can't ever play a full game, and when we are up early, bury the team. It never happens. And until we can start to capitalize and take advantage of situations where we put our opponents behind the 8 ball, we're going to continue to give teams opportunities like this to come back and win.

I agree completely with your first two. The third has no bearing on the outcome of the game.

I know you're basing your thread off the first half alone, but allow me to move into the start of the third where I thought the pivotal moment was the catalyst for the wheels coming off.
Atlanta receives the second half kickoff, and we force a much needed punt. Here's where it all began to go down hill. Jason Witten's weekly false start. It was perfect timing. We had great field position and then we started going backwards after another hold and incompletion. PUNT!
I love Jason Witten. But damn, his weekly false start or two because he's gets sooo anxious really killed that drive completely.
Totally my opinion here, but that was the catalyst if you ask me. Of course the INT wasn't any better, but Jason lit the fuse when we needed to sustain a drive for points.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This

I think it's crucial.

We have to protect what needs protecting.
Have to be smart enough to recognize and do that.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I agree completely with your first two. The third has no bearing on the outcome of the game.

I know you're basing your thread off the first half alone, but allow me to move into the start of the third where I thought the pivotal moment was the catalyst for the wheels coming off.
Atlanta receives the second half kickoff, and we force a much needed punt. Here's where it all began to go down hill. Jason Witten's weekly false start. It was perfect timing. We had great field position and then we started going backwards after another hold and incompletion. PUNT!
I love Jason Witten. But damn, his weekly false start or two because he's gets sooo anxious really killed that drive completely.
Totally my opinion here, but that was the catalyst if you ask me. Of course the INT wasn't any better, but Jason lit the fuse when we needed to sustain a drive for points.

The bad thing about it, is that he's so slow he knows that winning off the line is vital for him because he's slower than his opponent week in and week out. But yeah, his false starts really hurt us putting us behind the chains. 5 yards is small in the grand scheme of things, but as you noted, it can kill a drive quickly.