The Dallas Cowboys entered the week hopeful they had turned the corner. Following a 31-28 Week 11 victory over the surging Minnesota Vikings, the club thought they may have solved their issues. It turns out that wasn’t the case. That wasn’t the case at all.
Following the loss of strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul just a day prior, the team was not only operating on a short week due to playing on Thursday, but one with even more limited practice and a challenge in getting focused. It showed, from player mistakes to coaching snafus. The club routinely gambled deep in their own end of the field, and lost. They fumbled, threw interceptions and failed to capitalize on golden opportunities inside their opponents 10-yard line, leading to being thoroughly embarrassed by the Washington Football team for the second time this season. While rookie running back Antonio Gibson accrued over 130 yards and scored three touchdowns, it was self-inflicted wounds by the Cowboys that were the biggest culprit in their blowout loss, 41-16.
The defeat moves the Cowboys down to 3-8 for the season and back into the basement of the pathetic NFC East. Washington is now in first place with a 4-7 record.
To make matters worse, Dallas lost both of their tackles on their opening drive of the game. All-Pro Zack Martin went out with a calf injury a few plays after Cam Erving had his knee rolled up on. Neither returned to the game, while Martin returned to the sideline on crutches and in a walking boot.
Dallas has a week off to reconvene and prepare for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.