Cowboys fumble opening kick off, Raiders return it for a touchdown (GIF)

Nov 28, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) kneels on the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t waste time putting themselves in a hole in the Thanksgiving Day game. On the opening kick off, Cowboys rookie wide receiver Terrance Williams was back to receive the kick. He got the ball and was running through traffic when he got tackled and abruptly stopped around the 20-yard line.

Raiders wide receiver Greg Jenkins picked up the fumble and returned it to roughly 24 yards to score a touchdown and give the Raiders a 7-0 lead within the first 10 seconds of the game.

The referees reviewed the play and upheld the call. Replays looked like his knee was down before the ball came out, but the referees saw differently or the referees felt there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call.

That isn’t how the Cowboys were hoping to start the Thanksgiving Day game. The Cowboys claimed first place in the NFC East with a big win over the New York Giants on the road last week. A win would move the Cowboys to 7-5 and give them a slim lead over the Philadelphia Eagles who play letter in the week.

Here is a close up of the moment he fumbled:

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