ARLINGTON, Texas – From start to finish, the Cowboys and Commanders had a wild game full of big plays.
In a game like this, there are probably a lot of huge plays that we might have forgotten. But let's try to find some of the hidden ones that played a part in this crazy game.
Third-down pass to Lamb – The Cowboys have been a successful running team this season, but on the first true running attempt of the game, a third-and-1 on the first drive, the Cowboys not only went to the air but to a player they've missed. Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for 13 yards, showing the Commanders that just another one of their weapons was back on offense. It also got Lamb going again as he picked up right where he left off with the ankle injury. That extended the drive, and the Cowboys marched down for an early score. But the pass to Lamb seemed to set the tone for the drive and the day.
Bland's goal-line tackle – While it proved to be a 2-point tackle in a lopsided win, the takedown by DaRon Bland on Jayden Daniels at the goal line seemed to have a bigger effect overall, especially with momentum. The Cowboys saw a 7-0 lead turn into 7-2 and then 8-7 after a touchdown by the Commanders. Washington decided to go for two, but Bland made the stop just before the Commanders quarterback could reach the goal line, keeping the score at 8-7. The Cowboys were able to score the next 13 points and then cruise into the second half. The play also ignited Bland, who had another pick-6 touchdown in the second half.
Williams run to the 2 – OK, so the biggest play before the half was a perfectly-thrown pass to George Pickens, who made a great catch for 44 yards that flipped the field position. The Cowboys, up 20-15, were seemingly looking for a field goal, but the Pickens catch changed their plans. Still, after the play, Dallas had 23 seconds left and were at the 35-yard line. The next play was another handoff to Williams in an attempt to give them better field position, but the running back had other intentions, running through the defense for a 33-yard run to the 2. That opened the door for another touchdown, this time to Jake Ferguson. The catch by Pickens gave them a chance for a field goal, but the determined run by Williams led to a touchdown.
James sack and fumble – Cowboys linebacker Shemar James has been a tackling machine since entering the lineup, but the rookie picked up a sack and forced a fumble on a blitz, which was recovered by Jadeveon Clowney. But Daniels was also injured on the play with a hamstring setback and never returned. The forced fumble gave the Cowboys great field position and allowed them to score and push the lead from 12 points to 19.
Prescott's run for a first down – Leading 27-15, the Cowboys were on the move but faced a third-and-7 at Washington's 12-yard line. A field goal would keep the lead at two scores, but Prescott decided to go for the run and took off for 7 yards, getting exactly the needed yardage for a first down. Moving the chains allowed for another touchdown to Ferguson and the rout was on.
