Cowboys receive 2nd-half kickoff after NFL fixes coin-toss miscue

The Dallas Cowboys received the second-half kickoff on Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams after they were set to start both halves on defense following some initial confusion.

Upon winning the opening coin toss, Cowboys quarterback and captain Dak Prescott first told officials that his team wanted to "kick" to start the game. He later used the word "defer."

Under NFL rules, electing to "kick" means a team exercises its right to choose in the first half, rather than deferring its decision to the second half.

Video of the exchange shows Prescott declaring Dallas wants to kick before clarifying he meant defer, but the correction evidently either wasn't heard or wasn't accepted by referee Walt Anderson.

Therefore, the Rams were given their choice to start the second half. They, of course, opted to receive, and were thus set to take possession at the start of both halves.

UPDATE: Dak Prescott did say defer to the 2nd half, but only after he said "defense" and "kick." pic.twitter.com/zKMKbHTc0U

- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2019

At halftime, senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron intervened from his office in New York, allowing Dallas to receive the second-half kickoff.

UPDATE: @ErinAndrews on why the Cowboys received the ball to start the second half pic.twitter.com/OcKbvYdMbA

- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2019

Dallas kicked a field goal on its first possession after halftime.

Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.