Game Recap: Washington at Dallas – Week 12
Final Score: WFT 41, Cowboys 16
Game Summary
First Quarter
The Washington Football Team started the game on offense after Dallas won the toss. They went 3 and out on their first series, that netted -4 yards. Tress Way got off a 60 yard punt that was returned 9 yards by CeeDee Lamb. On the Cowboys’ first possession, they were able to convert third and short, plus third and eleven situations, giving up an 11 yard scramble to Andy Dalton. The big play on the drive was a 25 yard completion to Amari Cooper, but the drive fizzled, going 11 plays and 57 yards and ending in a Greg Zuerlein 33 yard field goal. They also lost two offensive linemen to injury in this drive, including All Pro Zack Martin. Washington then responded with a 12 play, 70 yard drive that was capped by a 5 yard Antonio Gibson touchdown run. It was an untypical drive with a trick play, a pass from tight end Logan Thomas to Terry McLaurin for 28 yards, and two penalties on Dallas that resulted in first downs to extend the drive and a false start on Washington that negated an apparent Gibson touchdown.
Score: WFT 7, Cowboys 3
Second Quarter
The Cowboys answered with a 54 yard touchdown completion to Cooper over Ronald Darby for a 5 play, 75 yard that took just under 2 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock. WFT retaliated with a nearly seven minute long drive of 14 plays and 67 yards that petered out inside the Dallas 10 yard line. The drive, which ended with a 23 yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins, had the longest play being a 13-yard run by Peyton Barber. There was also another trick play with J.D. McKissic gaining 6 yards and a first down on the classic “fumblerooski” play straight out of the movie Little Giants. On the next Dallas series, Washington was able to force a turnover on downs on fourth and one on the Dallas 34 yard line. Also, on the play was a 15 yard, unnecessary roughness penalty against Dalton Schultz which moved the ball to the Dallas 19. After a first down sack of Alex Smith, McKissic picked up 12 yards on a flare pass on third and nine to give WFT first and goal. Thomas caught a 5 yard touchdown pass, after a short run by Gibson. The Cowboys went into their two-minute drill and drove down the field to kick a 32 yard field goal. The drive was aided by a 28 yard pass inference penalty on Darby against Cooper. WFT then ran out the clock with only 19 seconds left.
Score: WFT 17, Cowboys 13
Third Quarter
Dallas opened the second half on offense but Ezekiel Elliott fumbled on the second play. That fumble led to 36 yard field goal by Hopkins. The short drive was handicapped by a false start penalty and ended with a sack on Smith, but did feature a 15 yard completion to Dontrelle Inman, who was back after missing several games due to injury. The defense held Dallas to a short drive on the next series, picking up 22 yards despite having an offensive holding penalty early in the drive. After a 58 yard punt by Hunter Niswander and a penalty against Jimmy Moreland backed WFT up to their own 5 yard line, Washington drove out to midfield behind several completion to McLaurin, including a 20 yard catch. Then disaster stuck: on third and ten as Smith was hit by Aldon Smith while he was in the act of throwing and was intercepted by Jaylon Smith, who returned it 43 yards. McLaurin chased down Smith and made a touchdown saving tackle. The defense drove the Cowboys backwards on the next three plays to force a 28 yard field goal. On the next series, WFT was backed up by a holding call on Temarrick Hemingway on first down from which they did not recover. Way got off a 57 yard punt to pin Dallas on their 12 yard line. On the Cowboys’ next series, Dallas gained 12 yards on 7 plays but on fourth and three, Dallas decided to try a fake punt that was well defended by the WFT special teams unit, forcing a turnover on downs.
Score: WFT 20, Cowboys 16
Fourth Quarter
On the next play Gibson ran 23 yards for a touchdown to give Washington a 27-17 lead. Dallas only picked up 19 yards on 5 plays on their next series after being backed up by a holding call. Steven Sims Jr returned the 52 yard Niswander punt 10 yards to the WFT 24 yard line. Washington then drove 76 yards in 10 plays with only one pass completion to McLaurin, capping the drive with a 37 yard touchdown run by Gibson. Barber also had 20 yards rushing on the drive. For Thanksgiving dessert for Washington fans, Montez Sweat batted a pass by Dalton and then intercepted Dalton on the next offensive play, returning it 15 yards for a touchdown to put the game completely out of reach for the Cowboys. On the next series, the WFT defense forced their third turnover on downs against the Cowboys, who only gained 19 yards on 6 plays. Washington was then able to run out the clock for the win.
Score: WFT 41, Cowboys 16
The Numbers
Points off turnovers: Cowboys 0, WFT 24
Turnover on downs forced by Washington: 3
Antonio Gibson: 115 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns
Most points scored by Washington this season: 41
Key Injuries
Zack Martin (leg)
Cameron Irving (leg)
Heroes and Goats
Antonio Gibson, showing why he deserved to be drafted in the third – Hero
Logan Thomas, touchdown reception, QB sneak, pass completion – Hero
None not even Ronald Darby when you beat the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving – Goat