<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qqgGE_0vhlHqaF00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qqgGE_0vhlHqaF00" width="1080" height="608" ><figcaption>Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys / Sam Hodde/GettyImages</figcaption></figure><p>For the second straight game, and third consecutive home game, the Dallas Cowboys turned in a terrible performance. While Mike McCarthy's group <a href="https://thelandryhat.com/posts/4-cowboys-who-deserve-blame-week-3-loss-ravens-01j8edk32svq">only lost to the Ravens by a field goal</a> on Sunday, they were getting blown out before they stormed back in the fourth quarter. </p><p>It looked the part of a fake comeback, but the Cowboys were shockingly one defensive stop away from getting the ball back late with a chance to win. They also failed on two separate two-point conversion attempts. Those four points loomed large in the three-point loss. </p><p><a href="https://thelandryhat.com/posts/ceedee-lamb-ghosting-media-adds-more-embarrassment-cowboys-loss-01j8fgj729dk">CeeDee Lamb's red zone fumble</a> was also the turning point in the game. On top of that, Dallas would have been set up with 1st-and-goal with seconds left in the first half after Lamb was mauled on a deep route. However, a hold on Tyler Guyton resulted in offsetting penalties and the team settled for a field goal. If the offense scores before the half, maybe they win the game. </p><p>It's easy to look back on missed opportunities in a one-score loss. In that case, Mike McCarthy deserves to be held accountable for a questionable decision in the third quarter. </p><h2>Mistake from Mike McCarthy cost the Cowboys in Week 3 loss vs. Ravens </h2><p>The Cowboys put together a strong drive with roughly 12 minutes left in the third quarter while trailing 28-6. However, two errors from Guyton completely derailed their momentum. Guyton was flagged for holding on 1st-and-10 and <a href="https://x.com/SaadYousuf126/status/1837982236055867600">then allowed a sack on 3rd-and-18</a> that pushed the offense back close to midfield. </p><p>Rather than trot out Brandon Aubrey for a 65-yard field goal, McCarthy brought out the punt operation. Did McCarthy want to pin the Ravens deep? Dallas was already trailing by three scores, so why not give Aubrey a chance to draw a little loser? </p><p>Punting accomplished nothing. While the defense was able to force a Baltimore punt, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession. Aubrey had already drilled a 65-yard field goal <a href="https://x.com/dallascowboys/status/1837957780231090491">(a franchise record</a>) with room to spare earlier in the game. </p><p>Had McCarthy opted to kick (and Aubrey came through), Dallas would have cut the lead to 28-16 following their first TD of the fourth quarter. They went on to score two more touchdowns, the last of which would have tied the game had Aubrey made the 65-yarder. </p><p>Hindsight is always 20/20, but punting made very little sense in that situation. The Cowboys were chasing points and they have a virtually automatic kicker who had already made a 65-yarder. The outcome of the game may have looked different if McCarthy trusted his all-word kicker instead of getting conservative. </p></div></body>

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Forgotten awful decision from Mike McCarthy screwed Cowboys in Week 3 loss

For the second straight game, and third consecutive home game, the Dallas Cowboys turned in a terrible performance. While Mike McCarthy's group only lost to the Ravens by a field goal on Sunday, they were getting blown out before they stormed back in the fourth quarter. It looked the part...