Cowboys flag for holding takes away major third-down completion

The Dallas Cowboys were unable to score on a drive in the second quarter after a major 17-yard completion by Dalton Schultz on third-down was flagged for holding. Tackle Terence Steele was called for the penalty, drawing criticism from Cowboys fans as the replay showed him get shoved backwards by a potential Chiefs penalty for illegal hands to the face.

Prescott to Schultz for 17-yds off the board due to offensive holding penalty#Cowboys 3 #Chiefs 16 Q2 pic.twitter.com/PpD7pGAK32

— Sports 24/7 (@Sports24x7_) November 21, 2021

Cowboys completion erased by holding penalty

In a first half marked by the Cowboys failing to get any meaningful offensive momentum against the Chiefs, quarterback Dak Prescott was leading Dallas down the field after another Chiefs touchdown. On a big third-and-nine play to extend the drive, Prescott found Schultz down the middle of the field for the big gain.

Almost immediately adding to the Cowboys’ frustrations on the day, holding was called on Steele, making the 17-yard gain a third-and-19 scenario. Replay showed what was flagged, as Steele was shoved off balance from a bull rush he grabbed and held onto his blocking assignment.

However, the replay drew criticism from fans for the exact moment Steele lost his balance, as the defensive end made his move with his hands hitting Steele in his facemask.

The Cowboys ended up getting the first down on the very next play after another Chiefs player was flagged for illegal hands to the face, but the momentum appeared to be lost. Dallas was unable to finish the drive with any points, continuing to trail the Chiefs 16-3.

Ezekiel Elliott limps after tackle

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott limped off the field early in the game after an awkward tackele where his ankle was pinned under the weight of his tackler. As Elliott caught a short route to the sideline, he was wrapped up and the tackler’s knee drove down into Elliott’s right ankle. Elliott immediately appeared to be in pain, motioning to the sideline for a substitution as he limped slowly to his team.

The injury came on Dallas’ first good drive of the game, after their first two ended quickly. The Cowboys began the game with a three-and-out, then watched Kansas City open the game with a touchdown. The Cowboys failed to respond on their second drive, ending on the third play with a Dak Prescott fumble.

The Cowboys found success on the drive Elliott was injured on, finally putting some points on the board as they trailed 9-3. Elliott’s injury will be one to watch throughout the game, as he has battled various injuries for most of the season.

Elliott would return to the game midway through the Cowboys next drive, missing only a few snaps on offense. As the Cowboys run plays to both Elliott and Tony Pollard, Elliott’s missing snaps is not uncommon this season.