In the NFL, in any team's season, there is always a moment or a game which can define a team's season. Last night on National TV, the Cowboys had a defining moment. After a stellar performance that still ended in defeat last week, the Cowboys were in the position to either step up or fall on their faces. It was a perfect set up, a Prime Time game on Sunday Night Football against their biggest rival, the Washington Redskins. It is a rivalry as old as the Cowboys themselves, starting in their initial season of 1960, over the years it has been a many storied, much heralded game that often made the difference between being a Division Champion or an also ran for both teams. Reeling from last week's heartbreaking last second loss to Denver, riddled with defensive injuries, it was a definite 'gut check' game for the Cowboys. Especially when, in the second quarter, with just moments in between, the Cowboys lost stand out running back DeMarco Murray and future Hall of Fame Defensive End DeMarcus Ware to injury. The Cowboys took a 14-6 lead into half time thanks to an opening drive touchdown, an 86 yard Dwayne Harris punt return touchdown as well as the Redskins inability to finish off a drive resulting in two Field Goals.
After the break, the Redskins added another Field Goal, then on the ensuing kickoff, Dwayne Harris again made his presence known. Taking the ball 5 yards deep in his own End Zone, Harris, behind key blocks raced all the way to the Washington 15 yard line before being pushed out of bounds. Two plays later, Rookie Wide Receiver Terrence Williams took an over the shoulder pass from Tony Romo, getting both feet down in the corner of the End Zone to put the Cowboys up 21-9. The Redskins again closed the gap to 21-16 on a 45 yard scoring run by Alfred Morris. The momentum was seemingly changing as Dallas went three-and-out on offense for the second straight time, the defense getting little rest. For the third quarter, the Redskins would dominate the time of possession, 12:08 to just 2:52 for the Cowboys.
However, less than 20 seconds into the fourth quarter, Washington attempted a 49-yard field goal, but Kai Forbath’s kick sailed to the left, no good. The momentum was lost. The Cowboys added a Field Goal on their next possession to up the score to 24-16. The Dallas defense then put the game away for good. With the Redskins facing a second-and-19 from their own 11, Griffin dropped back to pass, only to have defensive end Kyle Wilber break free and hit him from behind, forcing the fumble. Wilber then fell on the prize himself, giving Dallas the ball on at the Washington 3. Two plays later and rookie running back Joseph Randle fought his way to paydirt for his first career touchdown, being literally shoved into the End Zone with the rest of the pile by rookie Center Travis Frederick. The score now out of reach, 31-16.
The defense was not through with the Redskins as any hope of a dramatic comeback was put to rest when Griffin, from the
Dallas 23, threw deep into the end zone, his receiver either running the
wrong route or getting hung up. Instead, nickel back Orlando Scandrick was there to haul in the interception. Game, Set, Match Cowboys. With the win, the Cowboys remain tied in first place in the division with the Philadelphia Eagles at 3-3. The Cowboys passed their 'gut check' with flying colors, now let's hope those colors are still flying high for next week's showdown at Noon in Philly.
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