Needing a win to stay perfect in the NFC East and stay on right side of .500, the Cowboys went into Washington to face the rival Redskins in heavy rain. Despite a slow start and a 13-7 deficit early. Dallas finished strong and put up a decisive 33-19 final score.
Ezekiel Elliott started the day with something he hadn’t done all year, fumbling on his first carry. That was the only negative on the day, though, as Zeke finished with 150 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. He dominated the offensive side for Dallas, which was all the more important because of the weather conditions.
On defense, David Irving had two sacks, some additional backfield disruption, and a tipped ball the set up the game-sealing interception by Byron Jones. Irving now has five sacks in just three games since returning from his PED suspension. It’s now hard to say who’s more impressive between he and DeMarcus Lawrence, who added another sack to his breakout season today.
The pivotal moment in the game was a blocked field goal that Orlando Scandrick nearly returned for a touchdown, ultimately setting up Zeke’s second touchdown. Washington was up 13-7 with the first half drawing to a close, but the 10-point swing seemed to shift the momentum completely to the Cowboys. Thankfully, they never gave it back.
Other Notes
- Dak Prescott had a quiet day with just 143 yards, but that was clearly by design. The Cowboys wanted to keep the ball in Elliott’s hands with the rain and it proved to be sound strategy.
- Tyrone Crawford had a sack, his fourth of the year, and was the one who blocked the game-changing field goal. It’s been a quietly solid season for Crawford, the team’s highest-paid defensive player, and likely helped by the way Irving and Lawrence are playing.
- For one week at least, Dallas survived the loss of Dan Bailey. Mike Nugent missed his first field-goal attempt but then made the next four. Given the conditions, he should have some good confidence headed into some tough games on the upcoming schedule.
- The closing pick-six by Byron Jones was only his second interception so far in the NFL and his first touchdown.
- Dallas will hope to keep the wins coming next week with a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. How ironic; Dallas has to go through an Andy Reid team to try and keep pace with the Eagles.
I thought Irving’s natural NFL position was LDE, but he is finding ways at DT to be a true wrecking ball. The inconsistent play of last year seems to be gone.
If the Cowboys lose Lawrence over the off season, the plan is probably to set Charlton up at LDE and leave Irving inside. That’s a lot of height to obstruct passing lanes.
The expected double teams on Lawrence have arrived and the beneficiary seems to be Crawford. You cannot spend anyone extra on him, and after being invisible the last couple years the difference may be that he is finally healthy. This was his best game as a Cowboy IMO. Pivotal blocked FG and a strip-sack of Cousins. If this DL can get Collins to come alive now, it could really be potent.
LG Cooper, not ready to declare a win there. But it looks better. RT Collins is still adjusting to the job IMO.
The Cowboys did throw on 1st down early in the game and got some hits, and I think that is the formula right now. Just start with that, then the defense is afraid to load the box with 8 against Elliott. (same applies if Morris starts for 6 weeks).
Nugent: Today was why you sign a veteran K if available. I didn’t want to try the 49-yarder in the rain for his first kick as a Cowboy. But the miss did not mess him up at all.
I’ve been posting about Garrett having the biggest job right now, to get a 2-3 team with a porous secondary into contention. He’s getting it done so far.