The thought was that in replacing Jason Garrett with Mike McCarthy as their head coach, the Cowboys would enjoy a new level of consistency and execution. So far, through the first quarter of their battle against the Falcons, the only execution we’re seeing is what the Cowboys’ offense is doing to itself.
In the first quarter alone, McCarthy’s team committed four turnovers, which led directly to 20 Falcons points. First, running back Tony Pollard fumbled with 13:14 left, and the ball was recovered by safety Foyesade Oluokun. Then, with 11:13 left in the first quarter, Dak Prescott was sacked and gave up the ball. Then, with 9:34 left in the first quarter, Ezekiel Elliott gave up the ball on a run to the left side, with Oluokun as the hero again. Then, with 4:21 left in the first quarter, tight end Dalton Schultz gave up the ball after catching a quick pass from Prescott.
Yikes. There was also a failed fake punt. It’s rare for a team to give up the ball this often in the opening quarter, as ESPN’s Ed Werder points out.
The Falcons have converted Dallas turnovers into a 20-0 lead, only two points from biggest first-quarter deficit in Cowboys history. The Cowboys now among three teams in the past 19 years to have four fumbles in the first quarter, joining the 2013 Lions and 2001 Packers.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 20, 2020
Dallas started moving the ball as the second quarter began, but this is not an ideal way for the Cowboys to try and avoid an 0-2 start to the season.