The Dallas Cowboys entered Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins in a pressure situation. At 3-3, the team needed a victory to keep pace in the NFC East race. After fumbling on the first play from scrimmage, the team fell behind 3-0, and trailed 13-7. However, the defense of the Cowboys, coupled with the continued dominance by Ezekiel Elliott, overpowered the Redskins. The Cowboys secured a 33-19 victory over the Washington Redskins, and moved to 4-3 on the season. Here are some key takeaways from the victory:
Dallas Cowboys Defensive Dominance:
In a sloppy game, the Cowboys bested the Redskins at playing in inclement weather. The team relied on their defensive line to pressure the Redskins pass-oriented offense. The defense sacked Kirk Cousins 4 times, and recorded 8 QB hits. Additionally, the team recorded a huge turnover in the second quarter. Trailing 13-7, Tyrone Crawford blocked the Redskins’ field goal attempt, and Orlando Scandrick returned the ball all the way to the Redskins’ 6-yd line. A penalty moved the ball to the 2, and Zeke capped off the drive with his second touchdown run.
That pay was easily the biggest of the game. However, the team also recorded a big turnover to end the game, as Byron Jones housed a Cousins interception to seal the victory. While the Redskins were banged up on their offensive line, the Cowboys’ defensive line made sure they took advantage. This is an encouraging sign for the team going forward.
Kickers Are People, Too:
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a big loss last week, as Dan Bailey injured his groin midway through the contest. With the kicker sidelined for the next few weeks, the team signed veteran Mike Nugent to fill in. After missing his first attempt in a Cowboys’ uniform, the pressure was on Nugent to rebound. The veteran did just that, as he nailed his next four field goal attempts.
With the performance coming in a rainstorm, the team should feel a little better in trusting Mike Nugent going forward. With home/dome games against the Chiefs, Falcons, Eagles and Chargers coming up, Nugent will get the benefit of controlled climate until Dan Bailey returns.
Zeke Eats, and Now Waits:
Coming off a career performance in the team’s win over San Francisco, Ezekiel Elliott continued his elite level of play. In a constant rainstorm, the team allowed Zeke to be the focal point on offense. The young back carried the ball a career-high 33 times for 150 yards. Zeke also scored the team’s only two offensive touchdowns, and helped grind out the clock in the 4th quarter.
Now, the Zeke and the Cowboys will await the decision on Zeke’s pending suspension. With a court ruling scheduled for tomorrow, the team will wait to see if Zeke can continue his run of dominance against the Kansas City Chiefs next week.
Looking Ahead:
The Dallas Cowboys will look to extend their winning streak to three games, as they will return home and host the Kansas City Chiefs next week. With questions surrounding the future of Ezekiel Elliott, the team can take solace in knowing that their defense can carry them going forward, as evidenced by their dominance of the Redskins.
If Zeke stays on the field, and the defense continues to build off their impressive performance, the Dallas Cowboys could be primed to make a big run here in the second half of the season.
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