In a high-stakes battle between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, it all came down to one crucial play. With just five seconds left on the clock, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense faced the daunting task of securing a victory, but the odds were stacked against them. They were not only racing against the clock but also fighting for 27 yards to reach the end zone.
The play that unfolded was far from the traditional Hail Mary. Instead, Prescott’s target, CeeDee Lamb, opted for a route that cut underneath, surprising the defense. The intention was to catch the opposition off guard, allowing the receiver to break inside and make a game-changing play. Prescott delivered a precise pass, but Lamb was swarmed by a trio of Eagles defenders, bringing him down at the four-yard line, sealing the Eagles’ victory.
While some may argue that the four yards Lamb came up short were not the sole reason for the Cowboys’ defeat, tight end Jake Ferguson takes the blame for costing his team five crucial yards in the play just before their last-ditch effort to win the game.
DALLAS COMES UP SHORT. EAGLES WIN ON THE LAST PLAY. #DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/wBFiRr77y8
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2023
Ferguson candidly admitted, “I put that one on me, honestly.” He acknowledged that the play before was marred by a delay of game penalty, attributing it to his inability to hear the play call properly. In that pivotal situation, Ferguson believes he should have been more aware of the impending play call and the team’s strategy.
The confusion was evident when the Cowboys lined up just 22 yards away from the end zone in the preceding play, leading to the delay of game penalty. As a result, Dallas had to work from the Eagles’ 27-yard line in their final attempt.
Ferguson stressed the importance of proper alignment and execution in such crucial moments, emphasizing that without the delay of game penalty, they could have potentially reached the end zone in the last play.
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Jake Ferguson’s performance in the game cannot be ignored. He had a standout performance, tallying 91 receiving yards and securing seven catches out of ten targets. Additionally, he was one of three players to catch a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott.
In the aftermath of the game, Ferguson’s self-awareness and willingness to accept responsibility for the critical mistake highlighted his commitment to the team, even in the face of a heart-wrenching loss.