The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a dramatic 34-26 win against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. The game began slow but heated up in the second half keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The injury-riddled Cowboys were coming off 5 straight defeats and entered the game with a 3-7 record, without franchise QB Dak Prescott. The Commanders held a 7-4 record but were looking to rebound after two consecutive losses led by rookie sensation, QB Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are led by former Dallas Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn who famously signed several Cowboys free agents in the offseason adding to the game build up. The stage was set for a classic NFC East showdown, and it did not disappoint!

First Half Struggles:

The Cowboys’ quarterback, Cooper Rush, filled in just fine for the injured Dak Prescott, but early on, the game was marred by missed opportunities. Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a field goal and had one blocked in the first half. The Commanders attempted to capitalize on these early mistakes, but the score was deadlocked at 3-3 at halftime.

Defensive Battle Early

The game was an early stalemate, with both defenses playing exceptionally. Bobby Wagner for the Commanders and Micah Parsons for the Cowboys were particularly active and made big plays. Wagner’s fumble recovery and Parsons’ two sacks highlighted a game where defense was dominate. However, the game really came alive in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys found a spark through special teams. KaVontae Turpin’s electric 99-yard 4th quarter kickoff return for a touchdown shifted the momentum irreversibly.

Hectic Ending:

The Cowboys-Commanders game was the first game in the Super Bowl era to have two missed extra points, two kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked punt. The game that was mostly uneventful until fourth quarter chaos. The teams combined to score 31 points in the final four minutes, the most in an NFL game in more than a decade.

Key Moments:

• Turpin’s Touchdown: With less than three minutes remaining, Turpin’s 99-yard return came at a critical juncture, making it 27-17 for Dallas.
• McLaurin’s Miracle: After Turpin’s return the Commanders’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin struck back, catching a 86-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels, bringing the score to 27-26. However, the missed extra point by Austin Seibert left Washington one point short, keeping the Cowboys ahead.
• Game-Clinching Plays: After the missed extra-point the onside kick attempt by Washington saw Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas return it 43 yards for a touchdown. The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels had one more desperate heave to attempt to strike magic again, but Israel Mukuamu picked it off, sealing the victory at 34-26.

Standout Performances:

• Cooper Rush: Despite the slow start, Rush settled down to throw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, showing promise going forward without Prescott.
• Jayden Daniels: The Commanders’ quarterback had a decent game, throwing for 275 yards and two scores but also tossing two interceptions.
• Rico Dowdle: Cowboys’ lead back Rico Dowdle had a solid day carrying the ball 19 times for 86 yards.
• Special Teams: The Cowboys’ special teams unit was the difference maker, with Turpin’s return being the highlight.

Post-Game Comments:

The Cowboys’ head coach, Mike McCarthy, praised his team’s resilience, particularly the defense’s ability to contain Daniels and the special teams’ game-changing plays. “This game was about heart and execution when it mattered most,” McCarthy commented.

For the Commanders, this loss was another blow to their playoff hopes. Coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the effort but pointed out the need for better execution. “We had our chances, especially late in the game, but football is about capitalizing on those opportunities.”

Looking Ahead:

Dallas is hoping this may be the spark they needed to turn their season around, while the Commanders will need to regroup quickly as they face critical games ahead attempting to stay in the playoff race.

The Cowboys next host the struggling Giants for a Thanksgiving day match-up, while the Commanders look to get back on track hosting the Titans Sunday.

The Dallas-Washington rivalry has once again delivered a game filled with drama, showcasing why team records mean nothing when two rivals take the field.

Photos courtesy of AP, NFL, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NBC, and Dallas Morning News. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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