Dallas kicker scores opposite of hat trick with disastrous first half

Dallas needs to start going for two.

Kicker Brett Maher missed not one, not two, but three extra points in the first half of Monday's wild-card game against Tampa Bay. His 0-for-3 first half on extra points placed Maher in the record books.

Unless he's a glutton for punishment, Maher might want to avoid social media after the game.

As Pro Football Focus's Marcus Mosher noted on Twitter, Maher's disastrous first half is part of an emerging trend.

Maher also missed an extra point attempt last weekend in his only attempt against the Commanders.

The Cowboys looked fantastic against Tampa Bay in building an 18-0 lead. The offense scored three first-half touchdowns and the defense pitched a shutout. The special teams unit is the black sheep of the family and has a lot to correct if the Cowboys are going to subvert expectations and make a deep playoff run.

Of all the reactions to Maher's tragic first half, Peyton Manning had the best on ESPN2's "Manningcast."

"You got to be kidding me," said Manning as he stood up and threw his hands in the air in disbelief.

Things appear to be in hand against the Bucs, as long as the game doesn't come down to a field goal.