4th-and-1 at the Rams 35-yard line during the Divisional Round playoff game. The score was 23-15, with the Rams leading, and it was the first play of the fourth quarter. Dallas finally had some momentum as they were driving the ball on the Rams. Now, they faced a 4th-and-1.
This situation was no longer a “gimme” for the Dallas offense. The Cowboys offensive line was no longer capable of simply blowing opponents off the ball and allowing Ezekiel Elliott easy access to a few yards. With no Travis Frederick, with a rookie who had trouble at the point of attack in Connor Williams, and with a dinged up Zack Martin, the Cowboys interior line was at a disadvantage against a Rams front that was pretty darn good.