By: Alex Bustillo
Photo: Cowboys Wire - USA Today
The NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture in the NFC is getting clearer. The Dallas Cowboys entered Sunday's matchup against division foe, the Washington Football Team, with a 10-4 record, winners of three straight games after stumbling in the month of November. Despite being division leaders and in contention for a #1 overall seed in the NFC, there were plenty of questions surrounding Dak Prescott's consistency and the offensive struggles.
A primetime game against a bitter rival with so much at stake for both teams, and a disgruntled wide receiver, not happy with his role in the offense; too many storylines to ignore. The Dallas Cowboys would silence the critics and play their most complete game of the season.
Washington needed a win after falling short just two weeks ago in Landover, 27-20. They were plagued with injuries, players in and out of COVID protocol, but they had their QB back in Taylor Heinicke and despite a toe injury, they also had their starting RB available for this division matchup. It did not matter. Trevon Diggs intercepted the first pass Heinicke threw the very first offensive play for Washington after falling behind 7-0. Diggs recorded his league-leading 11th interception on a pass intended for star wideout, Terry McLaurin. The Cowboys did not look back.
Before America's Team took the field at AT&T Stadium, they had secured the NFC East crown after an earlier result in the AFC, via a tiebreaker with Philadelphia. Let's just say, they left no doubt. Dallas scored 56 points, en route to a dominating 56-14 beatdown of WFT. It was the most points the Cowboys had scored in over 40 years, playoffs included. It was also the most lopsided defeat in the history of the rivalry.
Their defense continued to dominate, forcing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD by DeMarcus Lawrence, and sacking the Washington signal-caller five times. The Cowboys defense allowed just 257 total yards. Special teams also contributed, adding a blocked punt, recovered in the endzone for a touchdown by Chauncey Golston.
How did Dak and the offense do? Well, they tallied 42 points in a half, tying a franchise record. Prescott got back on track going 28-39 for 330 yards, throwing 4 TD's and no interceptions with a rating of 131.4. Amari Cooper, after voicing his vexation with the offense and his role in particular, led all receivers with 7 receptions on 11 targets, for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys also rushed for 108 yards on 28 attempts.
Dallas will shift their focus to the Cardinals who come to Jerry's World on January 2nd. Both teams are still chasing the Green Bay Packers for the #1 seed in the NFC with two weeks remaining. Dallas is a game back and the Cardinals are two games back at 10-5. Washington's playoff hopes are on life support, as they'll need to win their final two division games against the Eagles and the Giants and get some help along the way.