By Ben Standig, Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf and Chris Licata
The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Washington Commanders throughout a chaotic second half on Sunday, profitable 34-26 at Northwest Stadium after getting into as double-digit underdogs.
What began as one of many season’s sloppiest video games become a 41-point fourth-quarter dash highlighted by a Madden-like 99-yard kickoff return landing by Dallas’ KaVontae Turpin and a shocking 86-yard landing by Washington’s Terry McLaurin with beneath 30 seconds to play.
Nevertheless, the comeback effort was undone by Austin Seibert’s second missed additional level try. Affected by particular groups blunders all day, the Commanders (7-5) misplaced their third straight recreation after opening the season 7-2.
NO GOOD.
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/FDg7wGy8KF— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
All three phases contributed mightily to this loss. What’s going unsuitable with the offense will garner essentially the most consideration. After 10 days of whispers about what, if something, is poor, the Commanders’ shoddy efficiency loudly raises extra questions. Although 26 factors are sometimes sufficient to win video games, Washington solely had 9 factors with beneath 4 minutes remaining.
If there may be one factor we’ve realized, it’s that restricted expertise requires good well being and execution for achievement. With Jayden Daniels impressively working the present, that recipe had Washington setting effectivity information early within the season. These have been the times.
Operating again Brian Robinson Jr. was out and in the lineup after a first-quarter ankle damage, and proper deal with Andrew Wylie and heart Tyler Biadasz have been checked for concussions. These absences — Wylie was dominated out — alone don’t clarify the offense changing 4-of-12 third-down makes an attempt or Daniels not often discovering any rhythm within the passing recreation towards a protection that gave up not less than 27 factors in 5 consecutive video games.
Daniels’ closing numbers have been boosted by manufacturing on Washington’s closing two drives after the Cowboys took a 20-9 lead with 5:16 remaining, although the 86-yarder to McLaurin was an epic play. That he ran for 74 yards and did so confidently might quiet a few of the damage discuss since his Week 7 rib damage. Then once more, his passing numbers are down during the last month and Daniels’ longest completion was a mere 20 yards earlier than the lengthy strike to McLaurin.
Is that this one other instance of regression in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense? Has Daniels hit a rookie wall? Have defenses adjusted to a gaggle that lacks velocity and playmakers? These are among the many questions everybody on the town will ask this week. — Ben Standig, Commanders senior author
COMMANDERS 86-YARD TOUCHDOWN WOW
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/apaNEKNCkh— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
Cowboys overcome extraordinarily sloppy first half
The primary half would possibly’ve been the worst half of soccer I’ve ever watched. There was a blocked area purpose, a area purpose that hit the upright, a fumble, a wild snap and a blocked punt. The ultimate two quarters have been loads higher, particularly for the Cowboys. Nevertheless, the second half began with a kickoff that fell wanting the touchdown zone. That’s a primary.
Daniels, the favourite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months, didn’t look particular for many of the day. The Cowboys’ protection did its half many of the day. Cornerback Josh Butler was the defensive participant of the sport. He was focused typically and completely held his personal, recording three passes defended, a sack and a team-high 12 tackles.
After which there was the wild Turpin kickoff return TD late within the fourth quarter. This Cowboys crew nonetheless isn’t superb, however apparently nonetheless higher than the Commanders. In the event you’re Crew Tank, this wasn’t the outcome you needed. However the coaches and gamers are thrilled to finish a five-game dropping streak and get a win over Dan Quinn and several other former teammates. — Jon Machota, Cowboys employees author
KaVontae Turpin goes 99 yards for the TD 🔥
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IiHNVZAnt5— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
Commanders’ non-existent move rush
The Commanders’ protection was at bend-but-don’t-break ranges for a lot of the sport. Whereas it held the Cowboys to a few factors earlier than halftime, Dallas scored 3 times after halftime. Credit score Cooper Rush with strong work, although dealing with a negligible move rush helped. The Commanders accounted for one late-game sack and two quarterback hits.
CeeDee Lamb didn’t throttle a secondary that has allowed gobs of manufacturing to opposing No. 1 receivers. Nevertheless, Lamb was a dependable outlet for Rush, catching 10-of-12 targets for 67 yards. Washington acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore for such matchups, however the four-time Professional Bowler missed his third consecutive recreation with a hamstring damage that started earlier than the commerce deadline transfer with the Saints.
The commerce for a participant beneath contract by way of 2026 had close to and long-term justifications. Washington’s employees gained’t rush Lattimore again, however the protection wants him on the sector, even when solely to prep for this playoff push. — Standig
Butler stood out instead of Diggs, Bland
The 2 areas of the Cowboys that have been most decimated by accidents when the sport started have been the offensive line and the secondary. In the long run, these spots proved to be two of the extra encouraging components of the Cowboys’ win, their first in a month and a half.
Left guard Tyler Smith is among the finest gamers on the Cowboys’ offense, and he missed the sport attributable to damage, as did future Corridor of Fame proper guard Zack Martin. TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman stuffed in admirably of their place, as Rush appeared as comfy as he has since sliding into the beginning position this season.
On the opposite aspect, the participant of the sport for the Cowboys on protection was Butler. With Trevon Diggs out and DaRon Bland holding down the opposite aspect, the Commanders examined Butler all through the sport and the undrafted cornerback repeatedly answered the bell.
With the Cowboys unable to get Diggs and Bland on the sector collectively this season, the opposite exterior cornerback spot has been an issue for the Cowboys. They tried rookie Caelen Carson in that position, however he bought picked on relentlessly by opposing quarterbacks and was a wholesome scratch on Sunday. Butler gave the Cowboys the reply they have been searching for, and one other participant to construct upon on the place for the longer term. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat author
Seibert missed a number of kicks for first time this season
Washington’s particular groups have been something however for a lot of the sport. Seibert, a standout a lot of the season, missed the earlier two video games with a hip damage. He botched two additional factors and a area purpose within the loss. Dallas’ second kick return for a landing truly gave Washington an opportunity to tie with a landing and a two-point conversion, however the first one, coming after the Commanders pulled to 20-17, was brutal. — Standig
Required studying
(Picture: Patrick Smith / Getty Pictures)
