NFL: Dallas Cowboys Bounce Back

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The Dallas Cowboys started off the 2021 NFL regular season on the wrong foot by losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-29 on opening night.

During week two, the Cowboys played a very tough team in the Los Angeles Chargers who won their first game against the Washington Football Team 20-16. Los Angeles had all the momentum going into this NFL game especially with the fact that they were the home team, but that did not faze the Cowboys.

Dallas started off the game with the ball first and they quickly showed what kind of offense they are working with. Dak Prescott led the starting unit down the field completing five out of seven passing attempts which eventually led to a four-yard rushing touchdown by Tony Pollard. The extra point was good, and Dallas took the lead 7-0 after the opening drive. The Chargers received the ball for the first time in the game and quickly gave it back. Justin Herbert threw a pass intended for Keenan Allen that was intercepted by Trevon Diggs. Cowboys fans were excited after that one, but it was too soon to celebrate. Dak ended up throwing an interception of his own giving Los Angeles a chance to redeem themselves after their first turnover. LA did not end up scoring a touchdown, but they did manage to get some points on the board with a 46-yard field goal kick by Tristan Vizcaino. The first quarter of the game was coming down to its’ final seconds when Dallas ended up punching the ball in for a touchdown on a five-yard rushing touchdown by their star running back Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys would head into the second quarter ahead 14-3.

Los Angeles took over the second quarter by not letting the Cowboys score any points. Herbert knew he had to get his team going on offense so, he buckled down and did what he had to. LA finally earned their first touchdown of the day which came from Herbert throwing a 12-yard touchdown to Mike Williams. The Chargers attempted a two-point conversion to reduce the score and it worked with Austin Ekeler getting into the endzone. Throughout the rest of the quarter, neither team put points up on the board so, the defenses were incredible. Going into half-time, the score was 14-11.

Heading into the second half, the defenses for both NFL teams came out with a sense of urgency. They were playing to the best of their abilities which really seemed to work. Los Angeles was able to put up three points to increase their score with a 32-yard field goal kick by Tristan Vizcaino once again. After this, the offenses of Dallas and Los Angeles were not able to squeeze in a touchdown at all.

Coming into the fourth quarter, with the score at 14-14, the game was getting more intense. The Cowboys were able to strike first with a 34-yard field goal kick by Greg Zuerlein. Field goals were an important aspect of this game because if either team missed one; there went your chances of improving your record. Dallas increased their lead to 17-14, but they were not safe yet. Los Angeles came back to score a field goal of their own from 29-yards. With four minutes left in the game, the score was 17-17 and it was anyone’s game at that point.

The Dallas Cowboys had the ball to start the game and to finish the game. Dallas went down the field making some good plays to reach a distance where their kicker would be able to make a game-winning field goal, but it wasn’t as safe as an area as you would think. Zuerlein was kicking from 56 yards out where the pressure can really get to someone. He was unfazed by it and made the kick to put the Cowboys up by three leaving the Chargers with only four seconds left on the clock. Dallas would win the game improving their record to 1-1. It was an exciting NFL game.

The Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles in what is a very important divisional rival game on Monday, September 27th.