Watch: Cowboys show how desperate they are with fake punt

Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) throws a pass. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Watch: Cowboys show how desperate they are with first-quarter fake punt

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Nov 18, 2024 8:48 PM ET

The Cowboys are in desperation mode and want the world to know it.

Less than five minutes into their "Monday Night Football" game against the Texans (6-4), the Cowboys attempted a fake punt on a 4th-and-9 from their own 33-yard line.

Punter Bryan Anger completed a four-yard pass to safety Juanyeh Thomas, but Texans wide receiver John Metchie III wasn't fooled and tackled Thomas immediately after the catch to force a turnover on downs.

Texans snuff out the fake punt!

: #HOUvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gSgeNXYCfP
— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024

Dallas entered Monday's game with a 3-6 record and its owner, Jerry Jones, making headlines for yelling about the sun.

The fake punt was perfectly in line for a franchise as unserious as the Cowboys.

It also reeked of desperation, which makes sense considering head coach Mike McCarthy is in the final year of a five-year contract he signed in 2020.

With the playoffs a long shot, it would be surprising if the Cowboys re-signed McCarthy. The ill-advised fake punt could make the front office's decision much easier.

After the first quarter, the Texans lead 14-0.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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