While the Washington Football Team rallied late to make a game of it, they were beaten fairly soundly by the Dallas Cowboys for most of their 27-20 loss on Sunday. Dallas rode a strong 18-point first quarter lead for most of the game. The win moved Dallas into a commanding lead in the NFC East at 9-4, while the WFT fell to 6-7 and in a tie with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite an absolute donut in the first half, and being down 24-0, Washington still had a chance to win the game at the end. The Football Team posted 12 fourth quarter points to get the score back to 27-20, and within a score. They even had a drive to potentially tie the game at 27-27 with just over three minutes to go.
There was plenty of time on the clock for Kyle Allen, who was playing in place of injured quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Unfortunately Allen fumbled the ball with 2:24 to go, albeit controversially, and Dallas held on for the victory.
Heinicke went down in the first half, but returned after just one play. Then he went down again in the fourth quarter with a knee injury, and did not return. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin also left the game with a concussion.
After the game, Coach Ron Rivera said Heinicke’s injury, “doesn’t look that bad.” He also said that McLaurin was now in concussion protocol.
Washington are pretty beat up at the moment, and had a COVID outbreak at a pretty critical time in the schedule. They were down to their 5th and 6th string defensive ends on Sunday, thanks to Chase Young being on IR, and three other DEs being put on the Covid list this week.
Not That Offensive
Dak Prescott threw for 211 yards and a touchdown. It sounds strange, but Prescott really wasn’t that overwhelming.
Despite the game feeling pretty lopsided, Dallas only actually scored one offensive touchdown. And that touchdown came after a turnover where the Cowboys started on Washington’s 41-yard line. Dallas struggled to convert Red Zone trips into touchdowns, but they did manage four field goals (35, 28, 37 and 29 yards).
That proved enough on the day.
Micah Parsons
Washington didn’t seem to have any answers for Dallas’ defensive sensation Micah Parsons. The linebacker lined up anywhere and everywhere, and was a disruptive force all game long.
He sacked and stripped Heinicke of the ball in the first quarter. Dorance Armstrong picked up the fumble and returned it 37-yards for a touchdown.
On the next set of downs, Parsons made mincemeat of an Antonio Gibson block, and sacked Heinicke again. It caused a three-and-out, and Dallas had tremendous momentum in the game at that point. Much of it brought on by the exceptional play of Parsons.
Playing For A Wild Card
No time to cry over spilled milk for the WFT, as they face the Philadelphia Eagles this week.
Both teams sit at 6-7, and tied for second in the NFC East. Both teams realistically only have a shot at a Wild Card spot now. Dallas is three games ahead, with just four games to play.
NFC Playoff Outlook
- Cardinals (10-2)
- Packers (10-3)
- Buccaneers (10-3)
- Cowboys (9-4)
- Rams (8-4)
- 49ers (7-6)
- Washington (6-7)
On the fence:
8. Vikings (6-7)
9. Eagles (6-7)
10. Falcons (6-7)
11. Saints (6-7)
12. Panthers (5-8)
13. Seahawks (5-8)
Not bloody likely:
14. Giants (4-9)
15. Bears (4-9)
16. Lions (1-11-1)
- No. 1 Arizona Cardinals – Wild Card bye
- No. 7 Washington Football Team at No. 2 Green Bay Packers
- No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 Dallas Cowboys