Playoff-Bound Cowboys Embarrass Commanders - And Silly Critics - To Win NFC East
For the second time in three years, the Dallas Cowboys are NFC East champions after a 38-10 blowout win against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. For the third time in three years, Dallas is a 12-5 playoff team.
And maybe for just a day or two, coach Mike McCarthy's Cowboys have earned a respite from the critics who have oddly focused on whatever it is they think Dallas cannot do.
And yes, that means the goofy national media won't be calling for and/or predicting McCarthy's firing until ... oh, maybe Tuesday.
After falling behind 10-7 early in the second quarter, thanks to a Brandon Aubrey blocked field goal and a Dak Prescott interception, the Cowboys rattled off 28 unanswered points to turn this game into a laugher. While the Commanders are far from the most formidable opponent, a win like this for the Cowboys, who have struggled on the road all season, has to feel good.
All around, it was a complete team effort for Dallas. The offense racked up 440 yards on the day, while the defense held Washington to just 180 yards while forcing three turnovers.
Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse
While Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott may be a long shot to win MVP, he certainly left a good lasting impression in this game. The longtime Dallas star capped off one of the best regular seasons of his career by completing 31 of 36 passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception, a complete domination of the hapless Washington defense.
Prescott may have stolen the show, but the Cowboys' other skill players came to play. CeeDee Lamb caught 13 passes, his second-straight game doing so, for 98 yards and two touchdowns to strengthen his case for Offensive Player of the Year. Tony Pollard rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Rico Dowdle added 46 yards of his own.
On defense, the Cowboys usual stars showed out once again. Micah Parsons had one of four Dallas sacks on the day, giving him a career-high 14 this season. Meanwhile, DaRon Bland snagged his league-leading ninth interception of the year, while Donovan Wilson got a pick as well and Jourdan Lewis recovered a fumble.
To repeat: With the win, the Cowboys finish 12-5 for the third straight season and have clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They will begin their playoff run with a home game against the Green Bay Packers next weekend.
Dallas, winners of 16 straight at AT&T Stadium, will be favored to win that game. But McCarthy coaching against his old Packers team? Alas, the Cowboys are also the favorite to be a magnet for critics who fail to recognize what's being accomplished here.
