Cowboys trauma Commanders later chaotic 41-point fourth quarter: Key takeaways

Cowboys trauma Commanders later chaotic 41-point fourth quarter: Key takeaways

Through Ben Standig, Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf and Chris Licata

The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Washington Commanders all the way through a chaotic 2nd part on Sunday, profitable 34-26 at Northwest Stadium later coming into as double-digit underdogs.

What began as probably the most season’s sloppiest video games was a 41-point fourth-quarter dash highlighted by way of a Madden-like 99-yard kickoff go back landing by way of Dallas’ KaVontae Turpin and a superb 86-yard landing by way of Washington’s Terry McLaurin with below 30 seconds to play games.

Alternatively, the comeback attempt was once undone by way of Austin Seibert’s 2nd ignored remaining level aim. Plagued by way of particular groups blunders all hour, the Commanders (7-5) misplaced their 1/3 instantly contest later opening the season 7-2.

All 3 stages contributed mightily to this loss. What’s going mistaken with the offense will garner essentially the most consideration. Upcoming 10 days of whispers about what, if the rest, is broke, the Commanders’ shoddy efficiency loudly raises extra questions. Regardless that 26 issues are steadily enough quantity to win video games, Washington most effective had 9 issues with below 4 mins difference.

If there’s something we’ve discovered, it’s that restricted ability calls for just right condition and execution for luck. With Jayden Daniels impressively working the display, that recipe had Washington environment potency information early within the season. The ones had been the times.

Working again Brian Robinson Jr. was once out and in the lineup later a first-quarter ankle shock, and proper take on Andrew Wylie and middle Tyler Biadasz had been checked for concussions. The ones absences — Wylie was once dominated out — unloved don’t provide an explanation for the offense changing 4-of-12 third-down makes an attempt or Daniels infrequently discovering any rhythm within the passing contest towards a protection that gave up no less than 27 issues in 5 consecutive video games.

Daniels’ ultimate numbers had been boosted by way of manufacturing on Washington’s ultimate two drives later the Cowboys took a 20-9 manage with 5:16 difference, although the 86-yarder to McLaurin was once an epic play games. That he ran for 74 yards and did so expectantly might calmness one of the most shock communicate since his Year 7 rib shock. Upcoming once more, his passing numbers are ill over the endmost occasion and Daniels’ longest finishing touch was once a trifling 20 yards earlier than the lengthy accident to McLaurin.

Is that this any other instance of regression in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense? Has Daniels accident a rookie wall? Have defenses adjusted to a gaggle that lacks pace and playmakers? The ones are some of the questions everybody on the town will ask this hour. — Ben Standig, Commanders senior editor

Cowboys conquer extraordinarily sloppy first part

The primary part would possibly’ve been the worst part of soccer I’ve ever watched. There was once a banned grassland objective, a grassland objective that accident the upright, a fumble, a wild snap and a banned punt. The overall two quarters had been a batch higher, particularly for the Cowboys. Alternatively, the second one part began with a kickoff that fell scale down of the touchdown zone. That’s a primary.

Daniels, the favourite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Week, didn’t glance particular for lots of the hour. The Cowboys’ protection did its section lots of the hour. Cornerback Josh Butler was once the defensive participant of the sport. He was once focused steadily and completely held his personal, recording 3 passes defended, a sack and a team-high 12 tackles.

And nearest there was once the wild Turpin kickoff go back TD past due within the fourth quarter. This Cowboys workforce nonetheless isn’t superb, yet it seems that nonetheless higher than the Commanders. Should you’re Workforce Tank, this wasn’t the outcome you sought after. However the coaches and gamers are delighted to finish a five-game dropping streak and get a win over Dan Quinn and a number of other former teammates. — Jon Machota, Cowboys workforce editor

Commanders’ non-existent go speed

The Commanders’ protection was once at bend-but-don’t-break ranges for a lot of the sport. Time it held the Cowboys to 3 issues earlier than halftime, Dallas scored thrice later halftime. Credit score Cooper Scurry with cast paintings, although going through a tiny go speed 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 Disagree. 1 receivers. Alternatively, Lamb was once a decent outlet for Scurry, catching 10-of-12 objectives for 67 yards. Washington obtained cornerback Marshon Lattimore for such matchups, however the four-time Professional Bowler ignored his 1/3 consecutive contest with a hamstring shock that started earlier than the business cut-off date journey with the Saints.

The business for a participant below commitment via 2026 had similar and long-term justifications. Washington’s workforce gained’t speed Lattimore again, however the protection wishes him at the grassland, even supposing most effective to prep for this playoff push. — Standig

Butler stood out in park of Diggs, Lifeless

The 2 boxes of the Cowboys that had been maximum decimated by way of accidents when the sport started had been the offensive form and the secondary. Finally, the ones spots proved to be two of the extra encouraging portions of the Cowboys’ win, their first in a occasion and a part.

Left defend Tyler Smith is likely one of the very best gamers at the Cowboys’ offense, and he ignored the sport because of shock, as did time Corridor of Repute proper defend Zack Martin. TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman stuffed in admirably of their park, as Scurry regarded as relaxed as he has since sliding into the forming position this season.

At the alternative aspect, the participant of the sport for the Cowboys on protection was once Butler. With Trevon Diggs out and DaRon Lifeless maintaining ill the alternative aspect, the Commanders examined Butler all over the sport and the undrafted cornerback incessantly responded the bell.

With the Cowboys not able to get Diggs and Lifeless at the grassland in combination this season, the alternative outdoor cornerback spot has been a weakness for the Cowboys. They attempted rookie Caelen Carson in that position, yet he were given picked on relentlessly by way of opposing quarterbacks and was once a wholesome scratch on Sunday. Butler gave the Cowboys the solution they had been on the lookout for, and any other participant to assemble upon on the place for the time. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat editor

Seibert ignored a couple of kicks for first future this season

Washington’s particular groups had been the rest yet for a lot of the sport. Seibert, a standout a lot of the season, ignored the former two video games with a hip shock. He botched two remaining issues and a grassland objective within the loss. Dallas’ 2nd kick go back for a landing if truth be told gave Washington a anticipation to join with a landing and a two-point conversion, however the first one, coming later the Commanders pulled to 20-17, was once brutal. — Standig

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(Photograph: Patrick Smith / Getty Photographs)

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