Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher (2) and his teammates celebrate his game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired in their 22-19 victory over the host Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Atlanta's Julio Jones lies on the ground after trying to block the kick.ATLANTA - Brett Maher got another shot on the final play of the game. This time, he made it count.
Maher's 42-yard field goal as time expired gave the Dallas Cowboys a 22-19 victory over the host Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but only after the resurgent visitors squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
A month ago, Maher clanked a 52-yard attempt off the left upright that would have forced overtime in a 20-17 loss to the Washington Redskins. Earlier in Sunday's game, he had to shake off a missed extra-point attempt that gave the Falcons an opening to tie the score.
"I was confident," Maher said. "Every time I step on the field, the goal is to go 1-for-1. Everyone in here is doing so much for our team. For the offense to be able to drive the ball down the field and get us in position again, and L.P. (snapper Louis-Philippe Ladouceur) and Chris (Jones, the holder) coming through like they always do, I was just happy to do my part."
The Cowboys (5-5) have won two straight on the road and trail Washington by only one game in the NFC East after the division leaders lost 23-21 at home to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The teams meet this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, with first place on the line.
"We've got a big one against as big a rival as there is in sports," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "We have a lot at stake there."
Atlanta (4-6) dropped its second in a row after reviving its season with three straight wins and now faces long odds to reach the postseason - especially playing in the NFC South, where the Falcons trail the New Orleans Saints (9-1) and the Carolina Panthers (6-4).
The scenario at the end of the game seemed depressingly familiar for Atlanta. Four of the team's six losses have come either on the opponent's final possession or with the Falcons denied on their final opportunity. Atlanta also was turned away late in narrow defeats to the Cincinnati Bengals, 37-36, the Saints, 43-37 in overtime, and the Philadelphia Eagles, 18-12.
"It's aggravating at the end of the day," Falcons cornerback Robert Alford said. " We did do some good things today. We can't just hold our heads down. But at the end of the day, we've got to learn to finish games."
The close losses have come in a year in which the team has lost both starting safeties and both starting guards to season-ending injuries. Linebacker Deion Jones came off injured reserve this past week after missing two months but was inactive against Dallas. Running back Devonta Freeman also is on injured reserve and may return late in the season.
The Falcons might have to close the regular season with six straight wins to make the playoffs. That's a lot to ask, especially as they enter a short work week before Thursday night's game in New Orleans.
Atlanta played in the Super Bowl only two years ago and won a playoff game last season. Now, only an unlikely winning streak could extend that modest streak of postseason appearances.
"For sure, it's uphill," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "We know that. When you go into a locker room, it's emotional and guys are upset. Honestly, all our focus, all our energy and intent are right into this week's preparation. That's the best thing we can do right now."
Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones' brilliant 34-yard touchdown catch over cornerback Chidobe Awuzie with 1:52 remaining tied the game at 19. Then Quinn gambled on a defensive stop as he burned timeouts in hopes his defense could make a stop and give the ball back to veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense.
Instead, the Cowboys used a 10-play drive to set up Maher's game-winning field goal.
"We have been in position but just have not been able to finish," said Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who vowed he wouldn't give up on the season. "Ain't no way around it. It is what it is. You've got to go back to work, or you're going to sulk. I ain't sulking."
Before Jones' late touchdown catch, Atlanta's only points came on four field goals by Matt Bryant, who was perfect in his return after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Bryant, 43, used a heating pad on the sideline to stay loose.
"It was a good game, I guess, as far as I got through everything OK," said Bryant, who is 13-for-13 this season on field goals, including four kicks of at least 50 yards. "Obviously, I'd rather have the win."
Highlights? There weren't many for the home team. Vic Beasley Jr. had two sacks, and Jones, who had six catches for 118 yards, has a touchdown catch in three straight games but didn't talk with reporters after this one.
A pass from Ryan bounced off the hands of rookie receiver Calvin Ridley and was intercepted by rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in the fourth quarter, setting up Ezekiel Elliott's 23-yard touchdown run for a 19-9 lead.
"The ball got on me quick, and the dude picked it," Ridley said.
The Falcons rallied to pull even, but again they couldn't win late.
"We have won a lot of games on the other side of it but this year, unfortunately, we have been on the wrong side of that," Jarrett said. "We have got to find a way to get right."
Elliott had a huge day for the Cowboys in what was a defensive slugfest until a wild fourth quarter, with the teams combining for 26 points over the final 15 minutes. He rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown, and led the team with seven catches for 79 yards.