'One Down, 4 To Go!' Cowboys Blast Commanders 38-10, Turn To Super Bowl Chase: Live Game Log
The Dallas Cowboys headed east to face division rival Washington in a game that meant everything to Dallas and could be a farewell performance for some players and the Commanders' coaching staff.
And the Cowboys played that way, recording a 38-10 pounding of Washington that ...
*Should silence the critics. At least until next week, when the national media will surely speculate on the firing of 12-5 coach Mike McCarthy.
*Sets up Dallas to play at home to open the playoffs next week against Green Bay.
*Allows the Cowboys to dream big. As DeMarcus Lawrence said while walking up the FedEx Field tunnel, “One down, four to go!''
How did Dallas advance through this important blowout win? Follow along for our chronological look at the day ...
“(Players are) very much aware of it,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said of the meaning of the game. "I think they understand that this is one of the top rivalries in the NFL, and I don’t think it necessarily matters what your record is. This is really about the opportunity to play against a team like this.”
Clutchpoints
For Dallas, the task at hand is clear: win the game and win the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs. It also means home playoff games at AT&T Stadium - where the Cowboys have won their last 16 games - against everyone until they have to play the 49ers - assuming that matchup occurs.
For the 4-12 Commanders, who sit in last place in the NFC East, it means a chance to play spoiler again. Last season in the finale, Washington beat Dallas 26-6 in Sam Howell's first-ever NFL start.
"We’ve got an opportunity to win the division and go out there and make a statement win and get ready for the playoffs," Pro Bowl linebacker Micah Parsons said. “We have to go make a statement that we are the better team, the more dominant and aggressive team. We just have to prove that.”
The Commanders have lost seven in a row and nine of their last 10. They've got new ownership led by Josh Harris, and the expectation is sweeping changes across the organization after the season. That, of course, means the coaching staff, including Rivera, who could be coaching Washington for the final time ... on his 62nd birthday.
While the Cowboys have excelled at home, the road has not been nice to Dallas. Coach Mike McCarthy's team is just 3-5 this season away from AT&T Stadium, but a win at FedEx Field means a third consecutive 12-5 season for McCarthy and his Cowboys.
“Winning on the road is something that, it’s just great for your football team,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “Road wins give you a different kind of confidence that you bring home.”
The Cowboys elevated linebacker Buddy Johnson and safety Sheldrick Redwine from the practice squad on Saturday. … maybe some special teams help there.
Live Game updates will appear here after kickoff...
The Commanders will take the ball first to start the game.
FIRST QUARTER: Cowboys 7, Commanders 0
Samuel runs off left end for 15.
Robinson carries up the middle for no gain, the Robinson runs again for nine. On 3rd and 1, Howell passes incomplete to McLaurin. On 4th and 1, Howell hits Robinson for 11 and a first down.
Howell hits McLaurin for 11.
Howell passes to McLaurin for five, then hits Gibson for three. On 3rd and 2 Robinson runs for one. On 4th and 1 from the DAL 31, Robinson catches the Howell pass for a loss of one. TURNOVER ON DOWNS.
Dak passes to Cooks for 11.
Pollard runs off left tackle for six, then Dak passes to Lamb for 15 and a first down.
Dak connects with Lamb again for nine, then Pollard runs off right tackle for four and a first down.
Dak passes to Cooks for three, then finds Pollard for 12 and a first down at the WAS 3.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 1st and Goal from the WAS 3, Dak finds Tolbert in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead over the Commanders with 6:26 left in the first quarter. The drive went 67 yards in eight plays and takes 3:47 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
FUMBLE RECOVERY COWBOYS: Robinson carries off right guard for six, and FUMBLES the ball - recovered by DAL - Jourdan Lewis at the WAS 31.
Turpin carries off left end for five, then Pollard rushes for three. On 3rd and 2, Dak passes incomplete to Cooks in the end zone. On 4th and 2 from the WAS 23, Dak connects with Ferguson for eight and a first down.
Pollard carries off left tackle for no gain, then Dak passes incomplete to Gallup in the end zone. On 3rd and 10, Dak finds Lamb for a gain of one.
BLOCKED FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Aubrey's attempt from 32 is blocked by Pryor, recovered by WAS - Whittaker at the WAS 14, returned by Whittaker for 66 yards to the DAL 20.
Robinson carries up the middle for no gain, then Howell passes incomplete to Dotson in the end zone, broken up by Damone Clark. On 3rd and 10, Howell hits Armah for 10 and a first down.
Robinson carries up the middle for two, Howell flips to Brown, who passes to Howell in the left flat for a gain of three. On 3rd and Goal, Howell scrambles to the left for four.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Cowboys 21, Commanders 10
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: On 4th and Goal from the DAL 1, Howell passes complete to Robinson in the end zoe for a 7-7 tie with the Cowboys with 14:57 left in the first half. The drive goes 20 yards in seven plays and takes 3:24 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Pollard carries off right guard for five, then Pollard goes off right tackle for five more and a first down.
Lamb carries an end around to the right for seven yards, then Dak finds Cooks for four and a first down.
Dak connects with Ferguson on the right sideline for 11 to the WAS 43.
Prescott passes short across the middle for four.
INTERCEPTION COMMANDERS: Dak passes to Gallup and the ball is batted up in the air at the line of scrimmage and INTERCEPTED by J. Martin and returned six yards to the WAS 45.
Howell passes deep down the right sideline incomplete to Bates, then Howell completes to Thomas. On 3rd and 1, Howell runs off left tackle for no gain. On 4th and 1 from the DAL 46, Robinson runs off right guard for two and a first down.
Howell completes to McLaurin in the right flat who runs for 19 to the DAL 25.
Howell throws to Samuel for nine, then Howell passes deep down the left sideline in the end zone incomplete for Samuel who didn't get both feet in.
Timeout #1 by WAS at 7:52
WAS - J. Good-Jones reported in as eligible. PENALTY on WAS-J.Bates, False Start, 4 yards, enforced at DAL 16 - No Play.
PENALTY on WAS-S.Cosmi, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 20 - No Play.
On 3rd and 10 from the DAL 25, Howell connects with Crowder for seven.
FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Slye is good from 36 for a 10-7 lead over the Cowboys with 7:04 left in the first half. The drive goes 38 yards in nine plays and takes 4:26 off the clock.
The kickoff goes to the DAL goal line, returned by Turpin for 29 yards to the DAL 29.
Dak passes short to the right side to Lamb for eight yards. PENALTY on WAS-C.Barton, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 37.
Prescott completes to Ferguson for 12.
Pollard runs off left guard for nine, then Dowdle carries for five and a first down. WAS-K.Hudson was injured during the play.
Pollard carries for nine, then again for 12 to the WAS 1. WAS-J.Martin was injured during the play.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 1st and Goal from the WAS 1, Pollard carries off right tackle for the 14-10 lead over the Commanders with 4:12 left in the half. The drive goes 71 yards in seven plays and takes 2:52 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Howell completes to Samuel for six, then hits Dotson for 11 and a first down.
Howell hits Dotson again for six, then Howell is sacked by Fowler for a loss of eight.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Howell passes short on the right side to McLaurin for 13. DAL-S.Gilmore was injured during the play.
Timeout #1 by DAL at 1:55
Howell passes incomplete to Thomas, the misses Gibson on the left sideline.
INTERCEPTION COWBOYS: On 3rd and 10 from the DAL 47, Howell passes intended for Samuel across the middle, INTERCEPTED by Donovan Wilson at the 35. Howell was hit by DeMarcus Lawrence as he threw the ball.
Dak passes to Dowdle, who drops the pass, then hits Dowdle on the very next play for 32 yards to the WAS 33.
Dak hits Lamb for 15 to the WAS 18.
Dak hits Lamb again for six, then Dak finds Cooks for eight to the WAS 4.
Timeout #2 by DAL at :29
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 1st and Goal from the WAS 4, Dak connects with Lamb for three and he reaches the ball across the goal line for a 21-10 lead over the Commanders. The drive goes 65 yards in six plays and takes 1:17 off the clock after the Donovan Wilson interception.
The kickoff goes two yards deep into the end zone, and it's returned 21 yards to the WAS 19 by Johnson.
Howell kneels to end the half.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER: Cowboys 35, Commanders 10
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Dak hits Lamb for 12 to start the drive.
Pollard runs for four, then Dak hits Lamb again for seven and a first down.
Dowdle runs off left tackle for a loss of two, then Prescott completes to Dowdle for seven. On 3rd and 5, Dak hits Lamb for 10 and a first down.
Pollard runs off left tackle for six, then Pollard runs a draw for a loss of one. On 3rd and 6 from the WAS 32, Dak completes to Ferguson for seven and a first down.
Dowdle runs off left end for 20 to the WAS 5.
Dak hits Lamb for a loss of one.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 2nd and Goal from the WAS 6, Dak scrambles left then moves to the right, points at Lamb in the end zone then completes the pass for a 28-10 lead over the Commanders with 8:28 left in the third quarter.
The kick goes to the WAS 1, returned 27 yards by Pringle to the WAS 28.
Robinson runs off left end for one, then Robinson runs for six more. On 3rd and 3 from the WAS 35, Howell is sacked for a loss of nine by Parsons. The punt Way punt is BLOCKED by Hendershot, recovered by Gore at the WAS 9.
Pollard runs for a gain of three. PENALTY on DAL-J.Ferguson, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 9 - No Play.
Dak completes to Ferguson for 16 to the WAS 3.
Dak scrambles for one. PENALTY on DAL-B.Hoffman, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 3 - No Play.
Dowdle runs off left end for eight yards to the WAS 5.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 3rd and Goal from the WAS 5, Dak connects with Cooks on a fade pattern in the right corner of the end zone for a 35-10 lead over the Commanders with 4:06 left in the third quarter. The drive goes nine yards in three plays and takes 1:54 off the clock after the blocked punt.
The kickoff goes to the goal line, returned 29 yards by Pringle to the WAS 29.
Howell passes short to McLaurin for no gain, then hits Gibson for 13 and a first down.
Gibson runs off right tackle for two, then Howell hits Gibson for 12 and a first down.
INTERCEPTION COWBOYS: Howell passes deep down the left sideline for McLaurin, but it's INTERCEPTED by DaRon Bland at the DAL 8.
Pollard carries up the middle for four, then off right tackle for four more.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: Cowboys 38, Commanders 10
On 3rd and 2, Dak hits Cooks for three and a first down.
Pollard runs off left tackle for no gain, then Dak connects with Ferguson for 15 and a first down at the DAL 34.
Dowdle runs off right end for six, then Prescott throws incomplete to Brooks. PENALTY on WAS-E.Forbes, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 40 - No Play.
Dak completes to Lamb for six, then Dowdle runs off left end for three. On 3rd and 1, Dak connects with Dowdle for 15 and a first down.
Dak finds Cooks for four, then Pollard runs off right guard for a loss of one. On 3rd and 7 from the WAS 18, Dak overthrows Cooks in the end zone.
MISSED FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Aubrey is no good from 36 - it hit the left upright. TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Howell passes to McLaurin for four, the Gibson runs for six and a first down.
Howell is sacked by Dorance Armstrong for a loss of seven, then Howell falls down after receiving the snap for a four-yard sack by Sam Williams. On 3rd and 21 from the WAS 25, Howell is sacked again for a loss of three by Sam Williams and Dante Fowler. The punt goes 48 yards to the DAL 30, returned two yards by Turpin.
Dowdle carries for four, then for two off right end. On 3rd and 4 from the DAL 38, Rush hits Tolbert for five and a first down.
Rush connects with Hendershot in the left flat and he runs 24 yards leaping defenders for a first down.
Dowdle runs for no gain.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Rush passes complete to Brooks for a gain of one, then Rush passes incomplete to Tolbert.
FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Aubrey is good from 50 for a 38-10 lead over the Commanders with 1:06 left in the game. The drive goes 36 yards in eight plays and takes 4:05 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Howell hits McLaurin for 15.
Gore carries off right end for three.
END OF GAME
