Gifford blocked punt leads to controversial goal-line turnover for Cowboys

On two straight drives, the Dallas defense denied the Patriots from scoring after looking pedestrian against Mac Jones on the first two touchdown drives. Defensive end Randy Gregory’s strip-sack sparked the defense after New England was setting up to score more points.

The Cowboys forced a three-and-out on the next drive but special teams coordinator John Fassel had a trick up his sleeve, sending a block unit on the punt and linebacker Luke Gifford made the play.

Fassel has been questioned during his Cowboys tenure but the blocked punt had a sense of redemption. Quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense made it down to the Patriots 1-yard line after a 13-yard completion to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.

After being stuffed twice, Prescott appeared to score on a sneak and had his entire upper half in the endzone before going down.

The Patriots with Bill Belichick are already a tough test no matter the roster and after head coach Mike McCarthy wasted the coaches challenge in the first quarter, the referees decided not to review it. Prescott leaped over the top on fourth down and after initially ruling it a touchdown, the referees reviewed it and ruled it a fumble after Ja’Whaun Bentley forced Prescott to juggle the football.

New England starts the second half with the football and Dallas will have their hands full down 14-10 in Foxborough.

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