The Dallas Cowboys had just kicked a field goal to go up 23-10 on the Washington Commanders early in the fourth quarter of their Thanksgiving Day matchup Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
With how the Commanders had moved the ball during the game, holding the Cowboys to a field goal felt like a win and kept Washington within two scores.
However, as soon as the Commanders got the ball back, disaster struck, and the game changed.
Quarterback Sam Howell dropped back to pass on first-and-10, but was met with immediate pressure to his right from Dallas star linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons had driven right tackle Andrew Wylie into the backfield. Howell initially avoided the sack, but Parsons didn’t give up.
Once he pushed Wylie aside, only right guard Sam Cosmi was in his way on his quest to bring down Howell.
Here’s the play:
Micah Parsons pic.twitter.com/810c9GDOKI
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 24, 2023
What a disaster.
What comes to your mind when you see this? Obviously, seeing Wylie beaten so badly is difficult to unsee. However, what was right guard Sam Cosmi doing here?
This is pathetic on every level. When you want to criticize Howell, look no further than this play, as it encapsulates all of Washington’s pass protection issues.
Why didn’t Cosmi immediately help Wylie with Parsons? Instead, it’s like, “Here’s a clear path to my quarterback.”
Whoever is Washington’s new coach and general manager next year will have a busy offseason retooling the offensive line. While replacing all five current starters would be difficult, a case could be made that it should be done.
It should be an interesting offseason.