The Cowboys can't recover from their failed fake punt in their third straight loss as Prescott struggles with a hamstring injury

ATLANTA – The Dallas Cowboys trailed by just four points early in the second half and failed on a big gamble – a fake punt from their 38.

The play changed the outlook for the Cowboys' comeback attempt for the rest of the game.

Less than three minutes later, the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of the Cowboys' side of the ball and scored one of Kirk Cousins' three touchdown passes. The Cowboys suddenly found themselves two points behind in their 27-21 loss, which raised serious doubts about their ability to salvage the season.

Dallas (3-5) has lost three straight games for the first time in four games in 2020. Running back Ezekiel Elliott did not accompany the team to Atlanta. In Dallas, two other key playmakers, quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver DeeDee Lamb, had to leave the game with injuries.

Nine penalties for 55 yards only added to coach Mike McCarthy's frustration and concern.

“We have to win a game,” McCarthy said. “I know what everyone wants to talk about in the long term. We have suffered five defeats and so we know exactly where this will take us and what is necessary. We have to manage to win. We cause too many self-inflicted wounds and some were pre-snap penalties that are completely unacceptable.”

One could easily describe the failed fake punt as another self-inflicted mistake. Punter Bryan Anger's pass fell short when CJ Godwin slipped on the fourth-and-2 fake. The call was unusual because of the close score — the Falcons led 14-10 — and field position.

“The fake punt was a duel that we were confident going into the game,” McCarthy said, adding, “Then they had the two-point lead.”

McCarthy confirmed that the decision to keep Elliott in Dallas was “clearly a team discipline situation. “We'll pick up on Monday and see where we are.”

Prescott said he hopes the team can rally around Elliott.

“Definitely a difficult situation because I’m so close to him personally and I want to help him,” Prescott said. “I think if anything it will be good. Apparently it was a mutual decision for him not to go on this trip. As he would say: I'll just pull myself together. I just want to, you know, rally around him and be the teammates and brothers that we are and good things will come from that.”

Prescott's top priority will be learning more about the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the fourth quarter. Prescott said he “felt a pulling sensation, something I've never felt before.” He said an MRI was scheduled for Monday to determine the severity of the injury.

“It was a tough thing to walk on,” Prescott said. “I know how much we needed this. I just wanted to go out and compete, go out and fight.”

Prescott said in next Sunday's home game against Philadelphia: “It's going to take a lot for me to not be out there.”

Lamb left the game with a right shoulder injury but did not return until late in the game.