Tag: Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders

Cowboys Twitter reacts to NFL removing Dak Prescott from FedEx Air ballot

The NFL initially thought Dak Prescott’s performance was worthy of accolade, but removed him from the poll. Cowboys Nation was not happy.

If Dak Prescott gets inspired by slights, real or perceived, the world certainly keeps providing him ammunition. After a season where risky passes, wideout mistakes and tip drills led to an uncharacteristic 15 interceptions in just 12 games, Prescott vowed to stay aggressive but limit the turnovers.

He did that and more, turning in a campaign that is worthy of MVP accolades. That was cemented by his Week 18 performance. Prescott shook off his ninth interception of the season and proceeded to finish with 279 passing yards and four touchdown passes before being lifted midway through the fourth quarter.

It was certainly one of the best performances of the weekend and the NFL knew this, putting him up for FedEx Air player of the week. For a stretch. Inexplicably, the NFL took Prescott off the ballot after fans had begun voting, and replaced him with Josh Allen.

Allen, whose Buffalo Bills scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Miami and take the AFC East title, had 359 passing yards. He also only had two touchdown passes which were matched by two interceptions. Allen also lost a fumble on a strip sack in Miami territory.

What reason did whatever NFL division responsible for the weekly award have for changing the roster? Cowboys Nation certainly had their own takes, and responded on Twitter accordingly.

Studs and duds in Cowboys’ NFC East clinching 38-10 Week 18 win

The studs on offense led the way for the Dallas Cowboys in their 38-10 NFC East clinching win over the Washington Commanders in Week 18. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys had one mission in Week 18, to leave Washington D.C. with a win and the NFC East title. Mission accomplished as the Cowboys routed the Washington Commanders in a 38-10 win that secured the team’s second division title in the last three years.

They took a little bit of time to get going, but a barrage that started late in the second quarter saw the Cowboys assert their dominance and blow out the Commanders behind a complete team effort. In a rivalry matchup, Mike McCarthy had to know his team would get everything the Commanders had in what was likely Ron Rivera’s last game with the team, and Dallas withstood the aggressive approach to pull away for the victory.

It was another great performance for the offense, while the defense got three more turnovers to guide the Cowboys. Here are the studs and duds from an NFC East clinching win for the Cowboys in Week 18.

Dak Prescott dissects Commanders with near-surgical precision in Week 18 romp

From @timlettiero: The Cowboys QB was impressively accurate in a 4-touchdown season-ending performance. He’ll look to ride his hot streak into the playoffs.

Your 2023 NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys have clinched the division as well as home-field advantage to start the playoffs. Washington was looking to play spoiler, but they could not get the job done as Dallas cruised to an easy 38-10 victory.

Quarter one was shaky as Dallas couldn’t get the ball to bounce their way, but fortunes quickly changed. The defense created pressure and forced turnovers while the offense found their groove. Washington had no answer for QB Dak Prescott, who was able to do as he pleased.

Prescott finished his All-Pro-caliber campaign with a 279-yard and four-score performance through the air. Although he added an unlucky interception to his tally, he ended the season on a high and looks to keep the offense rolling.

After Washington conceded the ball on a failed fourth-down conversion, Prescott took the reigns and threw a beauty to WR Jalen Tolbert to put Dallas up by seven.

Fast forward to the two-minute warning before the half, when Dallas found themselves up 14-10. Looking to take a commanding lead before half, Prescott located his main man WR CeeDee Lamb, who does his best impression of Michael Jordan in Space Jam to reach the ball into the end zone for the score.

Dallas got the ball first to start the second half, and they didn’t take their foot off the gas. After a near seven-minute drive, Prescott found Lamb again with a laser-beam throw for their 12th touchdown connection on the season.

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Just to really put the nail in the coffin, Prescott hooked up with WR Brandin Cooks in the corner of the end zone to put Dallas up 35-10.

Whether he receives end-of-year accolades or not, Dak Prescott had one of his best seasons in a Cowboys jersey (if not the best) and finished it off in style. Onto the Green Bay Packers.

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Cowboys’ Gilmore: Shoulder ‘popped out,’ vows he’ll ‘be ready to go’ in wild-card round

From @ToddBrock24f7: The veteran CB missed the second half of the Cowboys’ season-ending win, but promises his shoulder injury is “nothing too crazy.”

The Cowboys secondary got a major scare late in the first half of the team’s 38-10 season-ending win when Stephon Gilmore landed awkwardly while making a play. The veteran cornerback was escorted to the locker room and did not return to action, though he was seen on the sideline with his right arm in a sling.

Early reports were that Gilmore had injured a shoulder, leaving fans to wonder if the Dallas defense would have to start their playoff run without either of the corners that had started the 2023 campaign.

But while Trevon Diggs will still be relegated to observer status for the posteason journey, Gilmore says he’ll be in uniform and on the field when the Cowboys host Green Bay in the wild-card round next weekend.

Gilmore’s shoulder “just popped out,” he said after the division-clinching win per the team website, “and they popped it back in place. I feel way better now. Happy it wasn’t nothing too crazy.”

Gilmore entered the Week 18 contest having played more snaps than any Cowboys defender this season. Nahshon Wright came on in his place to finish the game against the Commanders opposite league interception leader and first-time Pro Bowler DaRon Bland, who snared yet another pick on Sunday.

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The Cowboys secondary will face a stiff test in the wild-card round, with the red-hot Jordan Love coming to town averaging nearly two passing touchdowns per game, a rate that’s second in the league.

But if Gilmore’s self-diagnosis is to be believed, he’ll be in his usual spot when the Cowboys defense takes the field in the tournament.

“He told me was fine and he’d be ready to go,” said Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy.

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Brandon Aubrey passes greatest test of the season in Cowboys Week 18 win

From @ReidDHanson: Brandon Aubrey might have had his worst game as an NFL kicker, but he fought back and passed his biggest test yet for the Cowboys.

Brandon Aubrey had the perfect season nearly locked up. Through 16 games he was a flawless 35-for-35 on field goals. The rookie was nine-for-nine from 50+ yards. He was perfect in routine and clutch situations alike. He even set the record in touchbacks in a single season.

All he needed was to keep doing what he was doing in Week 18, and his season would go down as arguably the greatest ever. Then he went 0-2. After a blocked kick and a 36-yard miss basically kneecapped his perfect year, Aurbey’s dream season turned into a nightmare scenario.

Just one year ago, Brett Maher was also arguably the best kicker in the NFL. He was a league leader in FG%, a touchback king, and had more clutch moments than a 1982 Datsun with a 5-speed transmission (but in a good way). Until he wasn’t.

In 2022’s Week 18 against Washington, Maher took his first true misstep of the season by missing a routine extra point. With no other field goal attempts or extra points on the day, it’s how he concluded the regular season. In case the memories that followed that moment have been subconsciously repressed, allow me to recap: Maher went on to miss five of the next six extra point attempts in the postseason.

With no physical aliment to point to, it was clear the “yips” had officially set in for the Cowboys kicker. Maher never regained the trust of his ballclub and his career with the Cowboys effectively came to an end after that.

As crazy as it sounds, being an NFL kicker is less about physical ability and more about mental fortitude. Standing on the sideline for 97.2% of a game has a way of getting into an athlete’s head. There’s no amount of sideline net kicking or weekly mojo moments that can make up for it. There are quite literally thousands of soccer players physically capable of handling kicker duties, but until they feel the pressure of the moment and have to bounce back after a miss, no one knows how capable they really are in the NFL.

It’s a situation the Cowboys and Aubrey almost entered the postseason completely untested in. Until Week 18 against the Commanders, of course.

While Aubrey would have probably preferred to end the season with perfection, the Cowboys are probably happy he slipped. Because before the game ended, Aubrey drilled a 50-yarder, burying his previous failures and putting the thought of the “yips” behind him.

Aubrey showed he’s capable of bouncing back. It’s something Maher never could and a sign Aubrey’s for real. While everyone will likely still be holding their breath on his first postseason kick, the Week 18 miss(es) is possibly the best thing that could have happened to Aubrey. He showed resiliency and fortitude. Everyone already knew he was elite physically. By bouncing back, he showed he’s also elite mentally.

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CeeDee Lamb moves way up the NFL record books

From @Cdburnett7: Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s hot streak continued in Week 18 as he moved up the NFL record books in single-season receiving yards.

The records keep coming for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. After eclipsing Hall of Famer Michael Irvin’s single-season franchise marks for receptions and yards, he moved up the NFL records in Week 18.

Lamb came into the final regular season game with 1,651 receiving yards, which is No. 19 in league history. He proceeded to continue the season-long heater, making 13 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the dominant 38-10 victory.

Sunday’s performance moves him up to 1,749 yards, which makes it the eighth-most receiving yards in a season in NFL history, according to Pro Football Reference. Some may put an asterisk since it came in 17 games, but it’s the new norm. And with the way the Cowboys have buried games early and often this season, the numbers could be higher.

On top of that impressive mark, Lamb added to the record books in other ways during the Dallas victory.

Lamb’s fourth season has proved to be his best, and there is no doubt that he’s one of the league’s finest receivers. The momentum continues for the Cowboys No. 1 receiver as the team awaits their wild card matchup in AT&T Stadium as the No. 2 seed.

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WATCH: Cowboys pile on as Parsons sets new career high

From @Cdburnett7: The Cowboys piled on Washington in Week 18 as Micah Parsons set a new career high in sacks, with 14 on the year.

The first two seasons of Micah Parsons’ career, the Dallas Cowboys pass rusher finished just short of 14 sacks: 13 as a rookie, then 13.5 in his second season as a pro. While no one doubts his impact, Parsons made a point to get over that numerical hump in Week 18 vs. the Commanders.

During the lead-up to the season finale, Parsons spoke to media about his sack total and gave his two cents about sitting at 13 with a game to play. A Defensive Player of the Year contender, he’s setting the bar extremely high for himself.

Parsons is a man of his word, and the statement “it’s coming” rang true during the third quarter in Washington. He beat his matchup on the edge, as he often does, but he wasn’t held this time and took down quarterback Sam Howell for sack No. 14 on the season.

The celebration was on in the moment as Parsons set a new record for himself. Just moments later, the Cowboys special teams added to the flame with a blocked punt by tight end Peyton Hendershot.

Three plays later, quarterback Dak Prescott completed the play that has become clockwork for Dallas. He sailed a pass straight into the hands of wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who ran the corner route to perfection again for a touchdown.

This was once just a 10-7 Commanders lead in the second quarter, but 28 unanswered from the Cowboys have all but secured the NFC East title for America’s Team.

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Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore questionable to return with shoulder injury

From @Cdburnett7: The Cowboys veteran cornerback went to the locker room in Washington after suffering a right arm injury during the 2nd quarter in Week 18.

It’s a slugfest at FedEx Field as the Dallas Cowboys are trying to secure the NFC East crown, along with the No. 2 seed in the conference. The cornerback room has battled through a key injury this season, and now it may have lost another key piece.

Stephon Gilmore dove to make a play on the ball late in the first half and went down awkwardly on his shoulder before it appeared to make contact with Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Following the play, Gilmore stayed down before gingerly walking to the sideline holding his left arm. After being evaluated by the Cowboys trainers, he was led to the locker room while keeping the arm very still.

Right after his walk to the locker room, Dallas announced that he is questionable to return to the game with a shoulder injury. (Update: Gilmore was reported as out by Fox’s Erin Andrews shortly after the third quarter got underway. He was later seen on the sideline with his arm in a sling.)

The addition of Gilmore gave Dallas a massive boost in the secondary and second life after Trevon Diggs’ season ended prematurely. Initial reaction didn’t look good for Gilmore, and his status is very important for the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

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WATCH: Dak Prescott perfect on opening TD drive

From @Cdburnett7: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott marched down the field against the Commanders with a perfect touchdown drive.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s strong season isn’t slowing down in the final week of the regular season. In front of a crowd full of blue at FedEx Field, Dallas got off to a quick defensive start with a fourth-down stop, thanks to Damone Clark.

Prescott took the reins after the quick change and was a perfect 6-for-6 to open the game. The drive was eight plays, all gainers as he threw for 57 yards on the 67-yard scoring drive. It was capped off by wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who received a perfect pass from Prescott under duress for his first second touchdown as a pro.

That’s passing touchdown No. 33, the current league leader. This game is crucial with an NFC East title on the line, and Prescott’s excellence alongside the Cowboys offense led to an early 7-0 lead on the road.

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Week 18 Inactives: Martin, Smith out as Hankins makes return

From @Cdburnett7: The Cowboys are without starting linemen Zack Martin and Tyler Smith in Week 18, while Jonathan Hankins returns. The Commanders are thin.

The Dallas Cowboys can secure the NFC East title with a win over Washington, but it’ll have to be done without two of its best up front. Starting left guard Tyler Smith is out after the plantar fascia tear he suffered in Week 17. TJ Bass took the first-team reps during the week and he’ll start at FedEx Field.

All-Pro right guard Zack Martin is also a surprise inactive after an illness has swept through Dallas yet again. That leaves a void in both guard spots for the Cowboys to work through on the road. The good news for Week 18 comes on the defensive front as Johnathan Hankins makes his return from a knee and ankle injury.

For the Washington Commanders, the biggest absence is two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. He’s been dealing with a knee injury, and Washington also put three players on IR during the week leading up. Cornerback Kendall Fuller was among that group. Starting safety Kam Curl is also inactive.

Cowboys-Commanders kicks off with a chance for Dallas to secure the divisional title at 3:25 p.m., televised on FOX. Here’s a look at the full list of inactives before the matchup.

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