By Nathan Lee
The Dallas Cowboys lost an NFC East showdown to the Washington Football Team on Sunday, 25-3.
The Cowboys came into the game with a 2-4 record, hoping to take the lead in the NFC East by bouncing back from a 38-10 thumping by the Arizona Cardinals. Washington came in looking to end a five-game losing streak after losing by one point to the New York Giants the week before.
Washington Wins on the Ground
The Cowboys had the second-worst rushing defense coming into the game, but Washington had the worst rushing offense coming in, not being able to rush for more than 117 yards in a game.
Something had to give.
In the end, Washington looked like a different team as they ran for a season-high 208 yards. Running back Antonio Gibson led the team with his career-best 128-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Gibson’s touchdown came with 3:48 left in the first quarter after defensive back Landon Collins strip-sacked Andy Dalton on the previous drive, leading to a Washington safety.
Collins’ strip sack was one of six sacks by the Washington defense, led by two from defensive end Montez Sweat.
Washington quarterback Kyle Allen turned in a 194-yard, two-touchdown, turnover-free performance, including a 52-yard touchdown to wide receiver Terry McLaurin with 9:54 left in first half. Allen threw another touchdown to tight end Logan Thomas with 3:08 left in the half to give Washington a 22-3 halftime lead.
In the second half, Washington only managed to score a field goal, but the defense held on and shutout the Cowboys.
Dallas Faltered
Quarterback Andy Dalton did not have a great day at the office as he threw for 75 yards and an interception before leaving the game with a concussion via an illegal hit from linebacker Jon Bostic, who was ejected from the game, midway through the third quarter. Rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci came in for the last three offensive drives for Dallas.
Dalton and DiNucci were each sacked three times as they dealt with a patchwork offensive line with only one Week 1 starter left, Cameron Thomas.
The offensive line was unable to help the Cowboys’ running game, as well, as they only ran for 83 yards, with Ezekiel Elliott gaining 45 yards on 12 carries.
Amari Cooper hauled in seven catches for 80 yards, but no other Cowboy got more than two catches. Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb did not catch a ball on two and five targets, respectively.
What’s Next
Dalton’s concussion leaves questions on who will start at quarterback in Week 8.
The Cowboys are hoping First-Team All-Pro right guard Zack Martin can be back for next week. Tyron Smith and La’el Collins have already been announced as out for the season.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported before this week’s game that there was tension in the Cowboys’ locker room around whether head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff were doing enough to prepare for games.
Despite the Cowboys’ continued woes, they are tied with Washington for second place in the NFC East, half a game behind the 2-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles.
Next week, the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia to try to take the division lead over the Eagles on Sunday Night Football at 7:20 p.m. on NBC.
Washington will take a bye week before playing the New York Giants at home in Week 8.
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