LANDOVER, Md. – In a game that included plenty of third-down and fourth-down tries, not to mention the longest play in NFL history on Christmas Day, there were a few plays that are forgettable but played a role in the outcome.
Here are some hidden plays that helped the Cowboys get the 30-23 win.
Javonte Williams' fourth-down run – The Cowboys' opening drive, which ended with a touchdown, nearly didn't get past midfield. Dallas had a fourth-and-1 at its own 44-yard line, but instead of punting it away, Brian Schottenheimer kept the offense on the field. Javonte Williams got the carry and went straight up the middle for 4 yards and a first down. From there, the offense kept it rolling with a balance of runs by Williams and Malik Davis, a pass to George Pickens and then a touchdown to Jake Ferguson for a 7-0 lead.
Quinnen Williams' one-arm tackle – On Washington's first drive, the Commanders were driving for a touchdown, and on second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt seemed to have a clear path to the end zone or to at least get close. But Quinnen Williams stuck his left arm out and corralled him for a 3-yard run to the 3. That effort was all Williams, who was getting blocked by two guys but still managed to make the play. The Commanders were sacked on third down and settled for a field goal, but without Williams' tackle, Washington likely runs on third down and maybe on fourth down as well. Instead, the Cowboys remained in front, 7-3.
Davis for 16 yards – On a drive that resulted in 17 plays with three separate fourth-down conversions, it was a second-down run by Malik Davis that likely kept it alive. Late in the first quarter, after Dak Prescott was sacked for an 8-yard loss, Davis took a second-down run for 16 yards. The play was likely called to get them back in a third-and-manageable distance, but he picked up 16 instead. The Cowboys would then need a fourth-down run by Javonte Williams, followed by a fourth-down catch from Jalen Tolbert, another fourth-down run by Williams and a penalty in the end zone to eventually put Williams in position to run in a touchdown for the 14-3 lead.
Short pass to Lamb from the end zone – Midway through the second quarter, KaVontae Turpin failed to catch a knuckling punt inside his 10-yard line, and the ball was downed at the 3, pinning the offense back toward the goal line. On second-and-9 from the 4, Prescott quickly hit CeeDee Lamb in the left flat for an 11-yard gain and a first down. The breathing room allowed the offense to open up the playbook even more, and they certainly did. On third-and-11 from the 14, Prescott hit Turpin over the middle for an 86-yard touchdown, the longest play from scrimmage this season. Without the short pass to Lamb, it's likely the Cowboys don't even get a first down and have to punt it back to Washington, who would get the ball near midfield.
Late hit leads to field goal – In the third quarter, the Cowboys were about to punt the ball after Prescott was sacked for a big loss back at the Dallas 48-yard line. But after he went to the ground and was about to spike the ball in disgust because of having to punt the ball back to Washington, Commanders' linebacker Frankie Luvu blasted Prescott to the ground again, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and a first down for the Cowboys. The offense didn't do much with the gift, but at least it got into field-goal position for Brandon Aubrey, who drilled a 52-yarder for a 10-point lead.
Bonus: Luepke sets up another fourth down – Leading 27-20 and trying to milk out the clock, the Cowboys had a third-and-16 from their own 31-yard line when Prescott dumped off a pass to Hunter Luepke, who went up the field to get extra yards. But he ended up bulldozing his way for 14 yards, keeping the offense on the field for yet another fourth-down try at its 45. Luepke's play gave the Cowboys a chance to move the chains, which they did on a short pass to Tolbert. The Cowboys kept the ball and ended up grabbing a 10-point lead on Aubrey's 51-yard field goal. Without Luepke getting it close, the Cowboys definitely punt, and the Commanders have a shot to tie the game down by seven.
