“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during NFL seasons, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on Washington’s schedule.
Dallas 27, Washington 20 – Week 14, December 12, 2021
In a game that was merely two Sundays ago, yet Washington fans would like to forget altogether, Dallas scored five times in the first half, going up by 24 points on their way to a 27-20 win over Washington.
The Washington offense (both running and passing) was virtually impotent in that first half. Washington permitted the Dallas defense to put them in terrible third-down situations throughout the half.
In fact, Washington faced seven third downs in the first half. Not once was a Washington third down where they needed less than six yards for a first down. https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/14/did-you-notice-the-third-downs-washington-football-team-dallas-cowboys/
Washington QB Taylor Heinicke had a screen pass intercepted and returned 12 yards by Randy Gregory, leading to a Dak Prescott to Amari Cooper 7-yard TD. Heinicke then coughed up a fumble in which Dorance Armstrong returned 37 yards for a touchdown, and it was 18-0 before the second quarter began.
Heinicke’s day was his worst thus far, completing only 11 of 25 for a mere 122 yards (4.9 ypa) one touchdown, one interception and one fumble lost for a touchdown.
The Dallas defense was THE dominant factor of the game and interestingly enough Prescott was not impressive either. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 211 yards (5.4 ypa) with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Dallas up 27-8 early in the fourth quarter, seemed to relax when Kyle Allen led Washington on a 73-yard 13 play drive as Jonathan Williams’ 1-yard run made it 27-14.
Prescott then compounded matters when he threw a pass directly to Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb who promptly returned it 31 yards, narrowing the Washington deficit to 27-20.
Unfortunately for Washington, its comeback ended when Allen was sacked on the WFT’s final drive, leading to a questionable fumble.
