Cowboys can't recover from failed fake punt in 3rd straight loss as Prescott faces hamstring injury

ATLANTA (AP) — Trailing by only four points early in the second half, the Dallas Cowboys failed on a huge gamble — a fake punt from their 38.

The play changed the outlook for the Cowboys' comeback attempt the remainder of the game.

Less than three minutes later, the Atlanta Falcons had taken advantage of being given the ball on the Cowboys' side of the field, scoring on one of Kirk Cousins' three touchdown passes. The Cowboys suddenly were two scores behind in their 27-21 loss that left major questions about their ability to salvage the season.

Dallas (3-5) has lost three straight games for the first time since a four-game skid in 2020. Running back Ezekiel Elliott did not accompany the team to Atlanta. Dallas had two more key playmakers, quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, leave the game with injuries.

Nine penalties for 55 yards only added to the frustrations and concerns for coach Mike McCarthy.

“We need to win a game,” McCarthy said. “I know what everybody wants to talk about long term. We have five losses and so we clearly understand where that puts us as far as what it will take. We’ve got to get to winning. We’re making too many self-inflicted wounds and some were pre-snap penalties that are totally unacceptable."

It would be easy to describe the failed fake punt as another self-inflicted mistake. Punter Bryan Anger's pass fell incomplete when C.J. Godwin slipped on the fourth-and-2 fake. The call was unusual because of the close score — the Falcons led 14-10 — and the field position.

“The fake punt was a matchup we felt strong about going into the game,” McCarthy said before adding, “That’s when they got the two-score lead.”

McCarthy confirmed the decision to have Elliott remain in Dallas “clearly was a team discipline situation. We’ll pick up Monday and see where we are.”

Prescott said he hopes the team can rally around Elliott.

“Definitely a difficult situation, me personally being as close as I am with him, wanting to help,” Prescott said. “I think if anything it will be good. Obviously it was a mutual decision for him not to take this trip. As he would say, just getting himself together. I’d like to just, you know, rally around him and be the teammates and the brothers that we are and good will come from it.”

Prescott's top priority will be learning more about the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the fourth quarter. Prescott said he “felt a pull, something I’ve never felt." He said an MRI has been scheduled for Monday to determine the severity of the injury.

“It was a tough deal to walk on it,” Prescott said. “I know how much we needed this one. I wanted to just get out there and compete, get out there and fight.”

Prescott said “it’ll take a lot for me to not be out there” in next Sunday's home game against Philadelphia.

Lamb left the game with a right shoulder injury but returned late in the game.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) drops a pass as he is defended by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb tries in vain to catch a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, facing, greets Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo, a grad transfer from South Dakota State, had 19 points in his Kansas debut and the top-ranked Jayhawks beat Howard 87-57 on Monday night in the season-opener for both teams.

Kansas led 46-19 at halftime and its biggest lead was 38 points.

The game was the second annual McClendon Classic, named in honor of Kansas graduate and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame honoree John McClendon.

Kansas (1-0) used the game as a tune-up before a top-10 showdown with North Carolina on Friday night. The Jayhawks had 10 players score, with three in double-figures. Hunter Dickinson, who missed Kansas' scrimmage and exhibition games, had 16 points and six rebounds, and Flory Bidunga added 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Blake Harper had 16 points to lead Howard.

Howard: The Bison will take away plenty from the contest, mostly measured in guaranteed money they received from Kansas.

Kansas: The Jayhawks won their 52nd consecutive home opener, dating back to the final 10 years of Ted Owens’ career, through five years under Larry Brown, 15 under Roy Williams and 22 straight under Bill Self.

After falling behind 4-3 early, the Jayhawks used a 12-3 run to eliminate any thoughts of a Howard victory. Howard went almost nine minutes without a field goal, missing 10 straight shot attempts as Kansas methodically pulled away.

Howard shot just 24.1 percent (7 for 29) in the first half.

Howard visits Missouri on Friday, while Kansas hosts No. 9 North Carolina.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Howard guard Bryce Harris, left, Kansas forward KJ Adams Jr. (24) and Howard forward Dom Campbell, right, battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga, top, dunks over Howard forward Cameron Shockley-Okeke, below, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)