The Dallas Cowboys truly did their best to make this game more difficult than it had to be Sunday in their 27-20 victory over the Washington Football Team. With the victory, Dallas moves to 9-4 on the year and have now won two straight games after dropping three of four prior to the win streak.
Here are three takeaways from the Cowboys huge divisional triumph.
Defense is More Than Good Enough
What a fantastic job by the Dallas Cowboys defense against Washington. The defense accumulated an interception, three fumbles, a pick six recorded by Dorance Armstrong, and five sacks with two coming from rookie sensation Micah Parsons. Parsons was a menace all game long, making it very difficult for Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen to do anything. Along with the two sacks, Parsons had two hits on the opposing quarterbacks and one pass defended.
Randy Gregory also had one of the more impressive interceptions of the season as well. Gregory was able to deflect a pass thrown by Heinicke to himself, turn around, locate the ball, and corral it for the pick. Gregory has been a source of frustration in years past for fans and the organization as a whole due to his off-the-field transgressions. However, there is no doubt now Gregory is a key cog for this Dallas defense moving forward as his overall play has demonstrated this year. Gregory has recorded five sacks, including two forced fumbles and eight tackles in six games played this year.
Dallas Offense Survived Their Own Errors
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: this was not the prettiest game in the world for the Cowboys offense. Despite their strong start, taking a 24-0 lead into halftime, Dallas made this game way more difficult than it had to be. In the second half, Dallas simply got too conservative and allowed Washington more time on the ball. Washington eventually were able to capitalize, with all 20 of Washington’s points coming in the second half.
Dak Prescott did not have his best game statistically, but it was enough to get the job done. Prescott completed 22 passes on 39 dropbacks, threw for 211 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, and the picks weren’t good ones. Dak simply got fooled twice, with the first coming across the middle of the field where Dak had to loft it to CeeDee Lamb with Dak getting simply too much air on the throw for Landon Collins to make the play. The second, a pick six, could have very easily been avoided. Cole Holcomb simply sat down on a pass targeted for Dalton Schultz and had an easy catch-and-score.
Dallas has to clean things up on offense moving forward. They have time before next week’s meeting with the Giants at MetLife Stadium, but there has to be improvement after a lackluster showing.
Injuries Took Their Toll
While a victorious day for Dallas where they were able to back up coach Mike McCarthy’s guarantee that they would win the game, it came at a potentially massive cost. Dallas exits the game with questions about their two most important offensive lineman, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith. Martin was injured during the game, yet was able to return with a knee injury. Dallas will probably take it easy with Martin this upcoming week, as Dallas simply cannot afford to lose him. Smith exited with a left ankle injury, an ankle injury that has plagued him all year long. It is safe to say Smith may not practice at all this week, and may not even play Sunday against the Giants.
Although he never exited the game, there are many questions surrounding the health of Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys star running back has been battling a knee injury for most of the season, and that has really cut into his overall productivity. Zeke totaled 13 touches in the contest for 60 combined yards. Elliott will be carefully used moving forward by Dallas, as they have a much longer term vision with Zeke in hopes to have him close to 100% for the playoffs.
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