Wanting to enter the playoffs with some momentum, the Dallas Cowboys instead stumbled across the finish line in a disappointing 26-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. And despite finishing the campaign with a still-impressive 12-5 record, the Cowboys would have headed to the playoffs as the fifth seed anyway as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New York Giants. to win the NFC East crown.
Behind a reworked offensive line, the Cowboys struggled to create much offense against Washington’s formidable front. Overall, the team gained 309 yards for 182, converted just 22 percent of its third downs, including 10 three-and-outs, and lost possession time, 36:12 to 23:48.
Dallas’ rushing game, which was dismal on first down, only managed 2.4 total yards per carry, which left Dak Prescott to try and shake things up. . Unfortunately, the quarterback may have had the worst game of his career. Prescott completed just 37.8 percent of his pass attempts, his lowest ever rating, for 128 yards and a quarterback rating of 45.8, both of which were his third-lowest totals.
On the other side of the ball, despite Dallas defending against a rookie quarterback playing his first career game and a Commanders offense without his first rusher, Washington was able to move the ball when needed, especially more as the match progressed.
Sam Howell threw just 19 passes for 169 yards and an 83.0 passer rating, but he also rushed for 35 yards on five carries and scored passing and rushing touchdowns. On the ground, Washington rushed for 151 yards on 41 carries.
The game couldn’t have started better for the Cowboys, and the special teams, who have been strong all year, are the culprits. Forced to clear from his own 33-yard line on his first possession, punter Bryan Anger dropped the snap and then was tackled immediately after recovering the ball.
Installed on the 20-yard line of Dallas, the commanders needed only two plays to reach the end zone. Howell’s first career pass was a short throw-in to Terry McLaurin, the fast receiver rushing to the goal line for the 16-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
But the Cowboys’ special teams unit isn’t done blundering. This time it was returning KaVontae Turpin who missed his second punt of the season. Dallas took a break, however, when its defense held, then Washington’s Joey Slye fired his field goal attempt 31 yards left.
The Commanders were on the move again late in the first period, helped by a 25-yard pass interference call on an underthrown ball in the third-and-11. Given another round of downs, Washington continued his march, making his way to the Dallas 2-yard line. But at second and on base, Howell threw into a crowd of Cowboys defenders, safety Malik Hooker coming back with the interception in the end zone to keep the home side off the board again. The pick was Hooker’s third of the season, tying his career high.
Not that it mattered. After Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller nearly caught a pass from Prescott on second down, he advanced past an almost identical shot aimed at Noah Brown on third down and returned the interception 29 yards intact for the hit. The extra point was missed, but the Commanders were now ahead, 13-0.
And they could have increased their lead even further when their next possession, Washington again crossed into Dallas territory. But luckily for the Cowboys, Slye’s troubles continued as his 52-yard field goal try sounded off the left post, no good.
Just before the end of halftime, the Cowboys finally found their rhythm. Starting at their own 23-yard line with 2:37 on the clock, Prescott and company quickly swarmed into Washington territory, then converted a fourth-and-one at the Commanders’ 17-yard line with 32 seconds left.
Two snaps later, Dallas was in the end zone, with Prescott delivering a strike to CeeDee Lamb from 15 yards. Brett Maher missed his extra point on a tough day for kickers, but the Cowboys must have been thankful they were down just 13-6 before the break after a frustrating first half.
Both defenses seemed to have the upper hand for most of the third. That’s until Washington took possession of its own 41-yard line with 5:34 left in the quarter. That’s when the Commanders embarked on a six-game 59-yard run to the end zone. Howell completed passes for 22 and 20 yards to Jahan Dotson before rushing himself the final 9 yards to the goal line to increase the advantage to 20-6.
On the final play of the third quarter, Howell threw a 52-yard bomb down the right sideline at McLaurin, starting the final frame at the Cowboys 15-yard line. The Dallas defense held the line, but this time Slye was good on his 29-yard field goal to tack on three more runs.
When Slye then added another 22 yards shortly after to extend the lead to 20, the day was over for Prescott and many of the other starters. Cooper Rush would take the quarterback reins all the way, with both teams essentially playing the clock.
With the loss, the Cowboys will now enter the playoffs next weekend against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-9, the NFC South winner and the fourth seed overall.
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