The Cowboys built themselves a 24-0 half-time lead and a 27-8 advantage heading into the final quarter, only for Washington to pull back to within seven of their opponents courtesy of a Cole Holcomb pick-six touchdown, but Dallas held on for the win
Last Updated: 12/12/21 10:31pm
The Dallas Cowboys held off a late Washington Football Team comeback to clinch a crucial 27-20 win over their NFC East divisional rivals on Sunday.
Story of the Game
The Cowboys built themselves a 24-0 half-time lead and a 27-8 advantage heading into the final quarter, with their defense – Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory in particular – swarming the Washington offense.
Washington starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke had a couple of spells out of the game as he took several heavy hits, one of which from Parsons saw him cough up a first-quarter fumble that was returned 37 yards by Dorance Armstrong for a score.
In the fourth quarter, a Neville Gallimore sack knocked Heinicke out of the game he game with a knee injury. Backup Kyle Allen took over and directed a late touchdown drive, capped with Jonathan Williams going over at the goal line with five minutes remaining.
Washington still trailed by 13, but suddenly that deficit was reduced to seven when Cole Holcomb picked off Dak Prescott on the ensuing drive and ran it back 31 yards for the touchdown.
Washington looked to have the momentum and, after the defense forced a quick three and out, they got the ball back again with three minutes to go to try and tie the game up. But, on 3rd-and-3, Gregory strip-sacked Allen, Jayron Kearse recovered the ball and Dallas ran the rest of the clock out to clinch a vital victory.
The Cowboys (9-4) not only halted the four-game winning streak of Washington (6-7) but they, crucially, have increased their lead in the NFC East divisional race to three games, with only four left of the 2021 regular season.
Stats leaders
Cowboys
Passing: Dak Prescott, 22/39, 211 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTsRushing: Ezekiel Elliott, 12 carries, 45 yardsReceiving: CeeDee Lamb, seven catches, 61 yardsAmari Cooper, five catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
Washington
Passing: Taylor Heinicke, 11/25, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INTKyle Allen, 4/9, 53 yardsRushing: Antonio Gibson, 10 carries, 36 yardsReceiving: Cam Sims, three catches, 69 yards, 1 TD
Scoring Summary
What’s Next?
Washington and Dallas are both facing further NFC East divisional matchups next Sunday, with Washington on the road in Philadelphia to face the Eagles.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, head to New York to take on the Giants as they look to potentially clinch the division crown with a win.
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