THE SPORTSMISTAKES RECORD

Cowboys Ice Their Own Kicker

2011 • NFL • Coaching Mistake • Timeout Management
Cowboys Ice Their Own Kicker — SportsMistakes artwork

THE STORY

On December 4, 2011, with the game tied against the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys set up a 49-yard field goal attempt after a 15-yard pass. Instead of using a timeout earlier, coach Jason Garrett called a timeout just before rookie kicker Dan Bailey's first attempt, 'icing' him. Bailey made the first kick, but his second attempt missed wide left, leading to a 19-13 overtime loss.

TEAMS / PEOPLE: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals

WHY IT MATTERS

This incident is notable for a coach inadvertently 'icing' his own kicker, a strategy typically used by opposing teams to disrupt a kicker's rhythm. The Cowboys' loss highlighted the potential pitfalls of such decisions.

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