The Cowboys choked within the clutch 5 occasions vs. 49ers in NFL playoffs

Often, the ache of your favourite workforce shedding a playoff recreation is sufficient for any fan. However what about when your workforce’s season ends through a string of significantly unlucky performs that trigger your entire NFL fan base to take part in a joint facepalm?

Properly, that’s precisely what occurred to Dallas Cowboys fan throughout the nation as they watched their membership fall to the 49ers 17-12 on Sunday evening.

For individuals who weren’t fortunate to witness the occasions in actual time, right here’s a fast run down:

An ill-advised punt with 2:05 remaining in regulation

With 2:59 on the clock, the Cowboys had the ball first-and-10 at their 18-yard line. Two incompletions and a sack on Dak Prescott swiftly ended the Cowboys’ drive after simply 59 seconds. Going through a fourth-and-10 with the sport on the road, the Cowboys determined to punt the ball again to a 49ers offense that begs for the possibility to run the clock out behind their proficient secure of backs. They bought the ball again with 45 seconds remaining nedding a landing to tie.

Dak Prescott almost takes a sack on first play of potential game-winning drive

The Cowboys had been fortunate to get the ball again in any respect following their punt as 49ers working again Elijah Mitchell solely wanted to fall down in bounds on a first-down scamper to seal the sport.

So, dealing with a 94-yard subject in entrance of them, Prescott and his offense went to work…kind’ve.

On the primary play of the drive, Prescott took the snap and escaped the pocket to his proper, shedding a number of yards of depth into his personal finish zone. As he neared the sideline, Prescott pumped the ball and proceeded to take a success from defensive sort out Arik Armstead inside his personal finish zone. Miraculously, Prescott spun off and managed to get a go off out of bounds.

TE Dalton Schultz didn’t cease clock whereas nonetheless going out of bounds

On third-and-one from the Dallas 15-yard line, Schultz caught a brief out route from Prescott earlier than colliding with a 49ers defender and heading out of bounds. Nevertheless, the sport clock didn’t find yourself stopping as soon as Schultz crossed the sideline.

It’s a rule many followers aren’t conscious of, however a participant MUST try to realize yardage after the catch whereas heading out of bounds to truly cease the clock. You need to be shifting ahead. The officers didn’t rule that Schultz tried to maneuver ahead after the catch which prompted the clock to proceed winding down.

The failure to cease the clock ended up costing the Cowboys 19 valuable seconds.

Schultz didn’t get second foot down on a routine catch on the sideline

After an incompletion on the earlier first down, the Cowboys confronted a second-and-10 with 10 seconds left within the recreation. Prescott discovered Schultz as soon as once more for a 15-yard acquire to cease the clock in vary of a protracted throw. Nevertheless, regardless of initially being dominated a catch, the officers overturned the decision after evaluation.

To everybody’s disbelief, Schultz merely didn’t drag his second foot in bounds on what definitely regarded like every other routine catch you’d anticipate a participant to make.

The incompletion left the Cowboys with 76 yards to go together with solely six seconds left.

So what does any workforce do on this scenario? A Hail Mary, proper?

Properly, not should you’re the Cowboys.

Ezekiel Elliott and KaVontae Turpin get steamrolled on underwhelming remaining play

As an alternative of lining up with 5 pass-catchers out extensive for one final heave in direction of the top zone, the Cowboys lined up in an unorthodox formation that had working again Ezekiel Elliott lined up at heart to snap the ball. With a mix of linemen and receivers lined up on both facet of the formation, Prescott took the snap and fired a brief slant to receiver KaVontae Turpin, who took an absolute shot by 49ers security Jimmie Ward to finish the sport.

On the identical time, Elliott by no means bought an opportunity to make a play for his workforce as linebacker Fred Warner bulldozed him as quickly because the ball left his hand.

For Cowboys followers, it was an incredibly-frustrating ending to a different promising season. However to these outdoors the Dallas fan base, it was a poetic finale that completely encapsulated the Cowboys’ struggles on an in any other case thrilling divisional spherical.