ATLANTA (AP) —hat ends the Atlanta Falcons‘ playoff hopes.Brett Maher’s 42-yard field goal as time expired gave the Dallas Cowboys a 22-19 win over the Falcons on Sunday. Atlanta (4-6) has lost two straight after reviving its season with three straight wins.The scenario at the end of the game seemed depressingly familiar for the Falcons. 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.“It’s aggravating at the end of the day Black Desmond Trufant Jersey ,” said cornerback Robert Alford. “… 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.”Atlanta also was denied late in narrow defeats to the Bengals (37-36), Saints (43-37 in overtime) and Eagles (18-12).The close losses have come in a season the team has lost both starting safeties and both starting guards to season-ending injuries. Linebacker Deion Jones came off injured reserve this 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 at NFC South-leading New Orleans.The Falcons played in the Super Bowl only two years ago and won a playoff game last year. 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.”Julio Jones‘ brilliant 34-yard touchdown catch over cornerback Chidobe Awuzie with 1:52 remaining tied the game at 19-all. 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 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 Desmond Trufant Jersey 2019 ,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who vowed he wouldn’t give up on the season.“Ain’t no way around it,” Jarrett said. “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 offense 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,” Bryant said. “Obviously, I’d rather have the win.”Highlights? There weren’t many. Jones had six catches for 118 yards. He’s had a touchdown catch in three straight games but didn’t talk with reporters after the game. Vic Beasley Jr. had two sacks .A pass from Ryan bounced off the hands of rookie Calvin Ridley and was intercepted by rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in the fourth quarter Black Damontae Kazee Jersey , 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 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.”Atlanta Falcons FS Ricardo Allen subjected to “random” urine test after victory over Carolina Panthers Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen is the best case scenario general managers, head coaches, and owners dream of right before the NFL draft each year. If you haven’t read “The Eight-Minute Lunch,” drop what you’re doing and go read it right now. Rico lost his job on a reality TV show four years ago. That was after scouts overlooked him during his prep career and after pro scouts decided he’d be too small to succeed as a professional. A few weeks ago he signed a 3 year, $19.5 million extension. To call him resilient is an enormous understatement. We’re lucky to have Allen as the leader of the defense as Keanu Neal and Deion Jones look on from the sideline. He had a pretty good game yesterday, capped off by a Cam Newton interception that sealed a Falcons victory. Then he got to work this morning and saw a friendly letter taped to his locker. We know these “random tests” aren’t so random. The talented Jeanna Thomas has actually covered this topic extensively. Give this article or this article a read Damontae Kazee Jersey 2019 , if you’d like a primer. Rico’s outstanding performance yesterday, including a demoralizing Newton interception late in the game, gave the league a reason, at least from their perspective, to test him. Given that Rico has never failed a drug test, I have no doubt he will come up clean this time as well. It’s just interesting when the NFL decides to target certain players, particularly guys with high character and an impeccable reputation.