If there’s a sequence that perfectly sums up how the Cowboys’ recent postseason luck has been, just look at the start of Sunday’s fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers.
After previously electing to punt on a fourth-and-two situation, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy sent the punt unit out there yet again for fourth and five. But this time, something good happened for Dallas. A fake! And the Niners weren’t ready for it at all.
But all the excitement from that successful fake punt would quickly wash away on the ensuing play. Despite picking up the first down, Dallas still had the punt unit out there to cause confusion. Then, McCarthy bailed on the attempt to force San Francisco into a timeout and sent the offense out there with around 16 seconds to get a play off.
The officials didn’t do the Cowboys any favors, though.