Saints burned by lack of challenges against Cowboys

The New Orleans Saints burned both of their challenges early in their Thursday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, and that came back to bite them later in the game, as you would figure.

The Cowboys were leading 13-10 and had a 3rd-and-5 at midfield with six minutes remaining in the game. Dak Prescott completed a pass to Cole Beasley shy of the marker, but Beasley was credited with a first down after diving forward.

The Cowboys were given a fresh set of downs thanks to the favorable spot, but a replay showed that Beasley’s knee was down before he dived forward.

Beasley comes up short on replay yet Refs give #Cowboys 1st down BUT #Saints have no challenges left and #Cowboys get the 1st! #NOvsDAL 10-13 pic.twitter.com/jhv7YHJ3tY

— Steven Van Over (@StevenVanOver) November 30, 2018

The ball was a yard shy of the marker when Beasley’s knee was down, meaning Dallas should have been facing a 4th-and-1. With the way Jason Garrett coaches, you can’t be sure he would have gone for it.

Instead, because the Saints couldn’t challenge the spot, Dallas retained possession and kept moving the chains and eating time on the drive.