Tag: Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Football Team

Reunited: Cowboys defense ‘extremely scary’ heading toward postseason

With the band finally back together, the Cowboys’ D logged 4 takeaways and 5 sacks in a stifling effort vs WFT. It could be just the start. | From @ToddBrock24f7

There is an old adage about playing your best football in December. If it’s true, the Cowboys defense has picked the perfect time to be hitting their full stride… and with their full contingent of players. Randy Gregory swung Sunday’s game early with a monster play in his return. DeMarcus Lawrence excelled in his second game back. Micah Parsons continued his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Neville Gallimore came up big in his season debut. And that kind of star power across the defense provided opportunities for others down the roster; Dorance Armstrong was this week’s featured cameo player.

The much-anticipated reunion of the Dallas defense turned out to be everything that had been advertised… and more.

“It’s kind of confusing when you see so many elite guys down there,” Parsons said following the 27-20 win over Washington.

The rookie logged two more sacks- giving him 12 so far- in what has become a season for the ages. He’s now the third rookie in league history to record a full sack in six consecutive games.

Parsons also forced a Taylor Heinicke fumble that was scooped by Armstrong and returned for a touchdown.

“I haven’t touched the ball like that in a long time. It just felt good. I told Micah, ‘Thank you,'” Armstrong, the fourth-year tackle, said after the game. “My focus immediately just went to: scoop the ball, don’t fall, don’t embarrass yourself, get to the end zone, for sure. That’s how it went down. I had the boys blocking for me.”

It was one of four Washington turnovers forced by Dallas. The Cowboys rank second in the league in that category, with 27.

“Not only did we have the four takeaways, but we got our hands on a lot of balls today too,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after the win. “The takeaways are what you’re after. But it’s the takeaway opportunities that were way up, and we’ve got to continue to work on that, because that’s part of our identity.”

A rising tide lifts all boats, as another old saying goes. And the return of all the defense’s highest-profile playmakers looks to be having a trickle-down effect on everyone else in the huddle.

“It’s a great feeling to have that much talent in one room and to be able to play off each other,” Armstrong added. “We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, since camp. We already knew what the potential of having everybody together and healthy could do. Now it’s that time to show it.”

“The vet guys are eating, the young guys are eating; I was just trying to add to the party,” Gallimore said, having recording a fourth-quarter sack in his first action since a dislocated elbow sidelined him during the preseason. “I had my shot. I had my moment, and I just took full advantage of it, that’s all it was. It was crunch time. It was time to make a play. They needed me to step up, and that’s what I did.”

Gregory notched a sack, too, as did Lawrence. The unit’s five total were tied for their most in a game this year, equaling what they did in Week 4’s win over Carolina.

“They’re playing lights-out,” Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott noted. “The D-line has got their ears pinned back. I feel bad for the opposing quarterbacks.”

On Sunday, an overall stifling effort from the Dallas defense gave up just 100 rushing yards and 124 passing yards, while allowing just three third-down conversions and only one drive longer than six plays… all against a bitter divisional rival, in their own house and on a four-game winning streak.

“We expect to do a lot of great things,” Gregory offered. “It’s really about our preparation and going out there and executing. When guys really have their laser focus as far as the game plan goes and things like that, we really go out there and ball out. Guys are going to make plays.”

“We came out ready to give them what they asked for,” Lawrence said. “They’ve been asking for Dallas all week. We came out, ready for that war, and they got what they asked for.”

“Extremely scary,” Gallimore said of his unit’s potential. “We’re just now starting to play our better football. I’m not even going to say our best football.”

“The best is yet to come,” predicted Parsons. “I think it’s just the beginning. I think we’ve got a long journey ahead.”

Which, when one considers all the Dallas defenders who are gearing up to make that postseason journey, calls to mind one more piece of proverbial wisdom:

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

The Cowboys defense is finally together.

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‘That’s the drill right there:’ Gregory’s INT came from Cowboys DC Dan Quinn’s helmet practice 2 months ago

Randy Gregory’s athletic takeaway in the first quarter of Sunday’s game came as a direct result of a drill the defense did 2 months ago. | From @ToddBrock24f7

In a game that was largely about the Dallas defense being in full force for the first time all season, the Cowboys wasted no time in showing fans- and the rest of the league- what they’d been missing.

Defensive end Randy Gregory, in his first contest back after a four-game absence due to a calf strain, sparked a dominant afternoon for the unit with an interception early. He had waited his entire career for his first pick; turns out, it made good on a technique he’d been working on just two months ago.

“They thought they could get it out quick,” Parsons said of the first-quarter play, “and Randy’s length, being back on that edge, was able to tip it to himself and make a huge play for us.”

“Just a phenomenal athletic play, ” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters.

It was a moment the defense had been prepping for.

“It’s funny, we worked on cut blocks a couple of weeks ago, when [defensive coordinator] Dan Quinn was out there with a helmet on at practice,” Gregory explained in postgame comments. “That’s the drill right there: get the cut block down, get your hands up.”

As Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke took the shotgun snap on the Football Team’s ninth offensive play from scrimmage, Gregory saw left tackle Charles Leno Jr. go low, just like Quinn had done in practice in Oct. 13.

He jumped, tipped the ball straight up, did a full 360-degree spin and cradled the ball as it fell back to earth.

“At that point, I was just trying to figure out which way was the right way to go,” Gregory said, “because I was looking up and wasn’t really sure which way was the right end zone. I was just trying to not get caught from behind or fumble the ball.”

While he was caught by Heinicke and Washington receiver DeAndre Carter after a 12-yard return, the takeaway set up the Dallas offense in plus-territory and led to the Cowboys’ first touchdown of a 24-point half.

“He set the tone for the whole game,” Parsons commented. “I expect Randy to make those types of plays.”

But in a season that has seen a linebacker start at defensive end, offensive linemen take snaps at fullback, and a 305-pound defensive tackle get jokingly mentioned as a possibility at tight end, Gregory has no illusions about adding offensive duties to his job description.

“No, you saw how fast I was on the interception,” Gregory laughed. “They’re still giving me a little [expletive] about that. Main thing is to make the play.”

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‘Not acceptable:’ Cowboys offense still with work to do despite divisional win

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys know that blowing a 24-point lead and going 1-of-6 in the red zone won’t cut it if they reach the postseason. | From @ToddBrock24f7

There is, in fact, plenty to feel good about for Cowboys fans after their 27-20 win in Washington. Padding the division lead, beating a hated rival, finally seeing the defense dominate, getting to nine victories and securing a winning record for the season… all things to celebrate.

It’s bad form to look a gift horse in the mouth. But it’s also naive to turn a blind eye if that horse clearly won’t make it to town because it’s gone lame.

The offense that has been billed for most of the season as one of the league’s elite went 7-of-18 on third downs and was 1-of-6 in the red zone. Quarterback Dak Prescott, once an early part of the MVP conversation, threw two egregious interceptions and ended with a passer rating of 58.8. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, a former two-time rushing champ, had his production equaled by an undrafted guy who has never started an NFL game. And the most explosive receiving corps in the sport couldn’t muster a reception of over 24 yards.

And yet that didn’t seem to shake the confidence of Cowboys players, despite nearly blowing a 24-point lead.

“It was a struggle on offense,” Prescott admitted in his postgame remarks, “and we weren’t exactly executing the way that we want to, especially late in the game, but it’s better in a winning effort. Some of the things are just simple decision-making by me, and I’ll clean those up. So as long as we are heading on the winning track and heading to the tournament, we’ll get it right.”

Getting it right would be a marked improvement for a Dallas offense that sputtered and stalled most of Sunday afternoon. The longest play from scrimmage was an accident, a busted play that saw Prescott connect with wideout Michael Gallup on a fire-drill route after picking a quick-snap up off the turf.

“It’s frustrating,” Prescott said. “We’ve got high standards and high expectations for ourselves, so when you’re not moving the ball and you’re not scoring points, only scoring what, six points in the second half? Yeah, it’s not acceptable.”

Actually, the Cowboys scored just three after halftime.

The team that once spoke of choking opponents out in the second half of games nearly did it to themselves on Sunday. Up 24-0 at the break, the Cowboys went 2-of-9 on third downs, 0-of-2 in the red zone, threw for just 39 yards the rest of the way, and punted five more times. Only a replay-confirmation of a called fumble ended the final Washington drive, with the Football Team down by seven points and moving with under three minutes to play.

“We’ve got to be better than that in the latter part of the year, obviously, as you get ready to go play better teams, play division teams, and play in the playoffs,” Prescott said.

“We were moving the ball well; we weren’t getting seven,” wide receiver Amari Cooper offered. “That’s what elite offenses do. It’s something we’ve got to clean up, something we’ve got to definitely talk about and discuss. We want to really go to the next level. At the same time, winning in this league is so hard to come by.”

True. A win is a win. And Dallas walked out of FedEx Field having earned one against a surging Washington squad who had entered with four consecutive wins of their own. It was never going to be easy.

“It’s against the reality of pro football… They have good players, too, and there’s plays to be made,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy explained in his press conference afterward. “They can make plays, too. I think you’ve got to recognize that. This isn’t fantasy football; never has been, from my perspective. I would have liked the game to been more open in the second half, but at the end of the day, things happen.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m concerned at all. We knew it was going to be tough,” Elliott commented. “We’ve got to play a lot better football on offense. We’ve got to celebrate this win; we can’t be mad about a win. We’ll be better next week.”

Next week will find the Cowboys traveling again- this time, to New York to finish their season series against the Giants, who would love nothing more than to play spoiler for their NFC East rivals just a week before Christmas. A home rematch with Washington follows, then a potentially-monumental game against Arizona, before finishing away with the Eagles.

“It’s tough,” Prescott said of the club’s remaining schedule. “Any division game is tough, a team that you play twice a year. We’ve got to suit up against this team in two weeks. Coming into their place, whether it’s here, New York, or Philly, all those are tough road games.”

And while the Cowboys successfully rode out of the nation’s capital with a victory, they know that the thoroughbred offense that spirited them through September and October is looking alarmingly gimpy.

“We’ve created these high expectations and high standards, and we have them for ourselves,” Prescott said. “Just as much as the outside world isn’t pleased, we’re not. I guarantee we care a whole lot more than the outside world about what we’re doing. I know I do; I know the guys on the field and the coaches do. So as I said, all of this we can get better and learn from, and it’s much better to do that in a winning setting.”

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Cowboys’ Randy Gregory returns in fine fashion, Week 14 player of game

The Dallas Cowboys got a big bolt from a returning star, as Randy Gregory reconvenes his personal victory tour after four weeks away. | From @TimLettiero

It became clear early on in Sunday’s game, this unit led by defensive coordinator Dan Quinn came fired up and ready to play. The Dallas Cowboys were getting the returns of defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and defensive end Randy Gregory, following last week’s return of DeMarcus Lawrence, and as a result the front seven saw big gains in their productivity. As a unit, they allowed only two scores, both in the second half, while adding a score of their own on a fumble recovery.

Gregory’s impact was felt the most and felt early. His stat line might not have a lot of crooked numbers, but his impact certainly put the Washington Football Team’s offense in a pretzel. Gregory had a sack, a forced fumble, a pass deflection, and an interception and the timing of those impact plays made things all the more incredible.

Washington’s second drive of the game, began in great field position, after Dallas QB Dak Prescott sailed a pass intended for CeeDee Lamb that was intercepted by safety Landon Collins. Washington started on Dallas’ 37, trailing 3-0 and in position to even the score or take the early lead. On 3rd-and-10, quarterback Taylor Heinicke looked to pass left for a screen but Gregory saw it coming.

He leaped up, tipped the pass into the air and then intercepted the ball, gaining 12 yards on the return.

His great start would not stop though. Throughout the remainder of the game he’d rack up five quarterback pressures but its his one tackle that stemmed the tide.

Dallas had seen their 24-0 halftime lead evaporate thanks to a Prescott Pick-6 that shrunk the score to 27-20 with just over four minutes remaining. To make matters worse, the Cowboys went three-and-out on their next possession, leaving Washington an opportunity to tie the game, or worse go for two points and take the lead.

Gregory was not having any of it.

On 3rd-and-3, Gregory turned in this insanely clutch strip-sack fumble of backup QB Kyle Allen, which was recovered by Cowboy safety Jayron Kearse, sealing the win.

Gregory’s presence was missed the past few weeks. It was clear Quinn having all his pieces back makes this defense a scary unit to come up against, as it freed rookie Micah Parsons who had an incredible game himself with two sacks and a forced fumble. Having Lawrence, Gregory and Parsons together is something Dallas fans have been waiting for and it paid real dividends in their first outing together since Week 1.

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Good, Bad, Ugly: Red-zone offense dampens enthusiasm from Cowboys’ stellar defensive effort

Despite a shaky offensive effort, the Dallas Cowboys rode a great defense to a 27-20 victory over the Washington Football Team in Week 14. @BenGrimaldi breaks down what worked and what didn’t.

The Dallas Cowboys needed to go into Washington and earn a victory to gain separation in the tightening NFC East. Mission accomplished. The Cowboys limped their way to a 27-20 win over the Football Team and opened a three-game lead in the division with just four games to play.

After head coach Mike McCarthy declared his team would win the rivalry contest, the game took on more meaning and it was up to the Cowboys to make a prophet out of him. Dallas came out firing on all cylinders, putting up 18 points in the first quarter and taking a 24-0 lead into halftime. Yet the Cowboys had a difficult time putting Washington to bed in the final 30 minutes. It was an ugly and confusing second half of football where the Cowboys looked nothing like they did early on.

The Cowboys got the win in the end and now sport a 9-4 record and have won seven consecutive conference matchups. Here is the good, the bad and the ugly in the Week 14 win for the Cowboys.

WATCH: Cowboys’ Gregory crushes late comeback drive with strip sack

After a collapse from the offense, Randy Gregory took matters into his own hands with a strip-sack to silence Washington’s comeback effort.

Going into the fourth quarter, Dallas held a 27-8 lead and the defense had complete control of the Washington offense, even with quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense struggling outside of their lone touchdown drive.

With five minutes left, the Football Team scored a touchdown to make it a closer game at 27-14 but it still appeared to be a done deal and a Cowboys win. That was until Prescott missed tight end Dalton Schultz for an easy first down and instead threw straight to Cole Holcomb for a pick-six, making it a one-possession game.

On par with the rest of the day, the Dallas offense had another three-and-out, setting up Washington with a chance to tie or take the lead late. For what felt like the millionth time, Dan Quinn’s defense crushed the hopes of their opponent and defensive end Randy Gregory knocked the ball away from Kyle Allen. Safety Jayron Kearse recovered the fumble to give the Cowboys an exhale.

Following the big takeaway, Prescott converted a third down and sealed the deal for Dallas who moves to 9-4 on the season and takes a commanding 3-game lead in the NFC East.

Cowboys LT Smith questionable to return with left ankle injury

After an injury scare with La’el Collins in the first half, Tyron Smith is questionable to return with a left ankle injury in Washington.

During the first half, the Cowboys gasped when starting right tackle La’el Collins went to the locker room with a leg injury. After missing the end of the second quarter, Collins returned to the field.

Late in the third quarter, left tackle Tyron Smith had his left ankle stuck under left guard Connor McGovern and struggled to get back to his feet. Smith went to the sideline and Ty Nsekhe took over in his absence on the left side of the offensive line.

In recent years, Smith has constantly dealt with injuries while his play on the field is always superb. Having already missed three games, Dallas will need the former All-Pro to defend quarterback Dak Prescott as the offense continues to struggle in November and December.

Cowboys defense saves the day, Dallas outlasts Washington

Dallas’ defense shined at every level, making up for a difficult day for the offense thanks to relentless pressure from their front. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The personality of the Dallas Cowboys has shifted dramatically. At the start of the 2021 season, the offense was on a record-setting pace, the quarterback was in the MVP conversation and talks about whether or not the team would be able to retain their hotshot young offensive coordinator after the season were real. Fastforward to the second half of the season, and it appears the Cowboys’ defense are the stars of the show.

For the first time all season, Dallas played with their star-laden cast of characters and they thrived in every conceivable way. Consistent pressure led to a slew of forced turnovers and extra possessions on way to a 27-20 road victory over the Washington Football Team. All thanks go to the defensive front which throttled the Washington offense and quarterback’s Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.

DeMarcus Lawrence, Neville Gallimore and Randy Gregory were on the field together for the first time this season and combined for three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble, the last two stats compiled by Gregory. Defensive rookie of the year lock and player-of-the-year candidate Micah Parsons had two sacks, including a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown, the defense’s second-straight week with a score.

The win moved Dallas to 9-4 on the season and ended Washington’s four-game winning streak as the latter tried to make the NFC East race interesting.

The Cowboys were able to survive a lowly effort by the offense, which failed to convert on four of five red-zone possessions while Dak Prescott threw two interceptions at other points in the game.

After 10 days off and getting several members of the team back from the COVID restricted list including head coach Mike McCarthy, the offense looked disjointed in several ways. Prescott sailed a pass for a first-half interception and completely missed a lurking linebacker for a late pick-six to put the final score in doubt.

However Gregory came through on a third-down play to chase and bring down Allen, who had come in for Heinicke after Gallimore destroyed the center on the way to knocking out the lineman and the QB on the same sack.

Dallas missed several interception opportunities early, but the biggest reason they squandered 24-0 and 27-8 second-half leads was due to the offense’s continued struggles. After starting out hot in converting third downs, Dallas finished just 7-of-18 for the contest and 1-of-6 in the red zone, though the final miss was on end-of-game kneel downs.

The Cowboys still have plenty of time to straighten out their woes with the ball, and the improved play of the defense over the last couple of weeks gives hope that both sides of the ball have the ceiling to win ball games when called upon.

Reaching both ceilings in the same game and consistently will be the ask for the final four games of the season.

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WATCH: Cowboys defense bails out offense with forced fumble

After Washington scored their first points, the Dallas offense couldn’t respond. Luckily, Jourdan Lewis forced another takeaway for Dallas.

The Cowboys dominated the first half but even with a 21-0 lead, the offense seemed off, which is how they’ve looked for the last month. Dallas’ defense stepped up to the opportunity and scored a touchdown of their own while limiting Washington to just 29 yards in the first half.

In the second half, the Football Team woke up with a massive touchdown catch by Cam Sims and a two-point conversion to make it a 24-8 game and create some drama in Washington. For the Cowboys’ offense, the sluggish performance continued, punting after just a single first down.

Similar to most of the game, the Dallas defense cleaned up the mess again with a forced fumble and recovery by cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who punched the ball out of Antonio Gibson’s hands.

Even on a drive starting at the Washington 25-yard line, the offense couldn’t find momentum and stalled out. Kicker Greg Zuerlein made the 29-yard field goal to make it a 27-8 lead, pushing it to a three-possession difference.

Cowboys RT La’el Collins goes to locker room with leg injury

During the second quarter in Washington, starting right tackle La’el Collins quickly went to the locker room with a leg injury.

The culprit? Apparently Collins is dealing with leg cramps.

Coming into the week, Dallas was healthy at almost every position but Collins was checked on by medical staff and quickly went to the locker room during the second quarter in Washington.

For this game, the Cowboys already have a 21-point lead but Collins’ status for the late-season stretch is something to keep an eye on. With him off the field, Steele takes over duties at right tackle where he started during Collins’ suspension early in the season.

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