Second Quarter

The Cowboys converted yet another fourth and short in the opening minute of the second quarter and this kept them alive and threatening for another score on the day.

Like the first possession, the aggression was rewarded with a touchdown for the Cowboys. This one came by way of Javonte Williams.

SCORE: COWBOYS 14, COMMANDERS 3 (Javonte Williams touchdown)

The next possession was interesting from a broadcast perspective as Emmitt Smith joined to provide commentary. He noted that he is a fan of how Brian Schottenheimer seems to be changing the culture of the Cowboys and also discussed various holiday-related things.

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As the game was going on so was the Washington offense by way of Deebo Samuel again. The Cowboys buckled though and forced the first punt of the afternoon.

Washington’s punt worked out very nicely for them as they put the Cowboys on the Dallas 3-yard line. That did not seem to be a huge issue though as 5 plays later the Cowboys were the endzone once more thanks to a huge connection from Dak Prescott to KaVontae Turpin on a free play thanks to an offsides call.

SCORE: COWBOYS 21, COMMANDERS 3 (Dak Prescott to KaVontae Turpin touchdown)

Unfortunately for the Commanders their next drive saw former Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz get hurt. Hopefully he is alright.

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Washington looked to be denied inside of the redzone after a third down play, but things were kept alive for them by way of pass interference. Shortly after Bill Croskey-Merritt punched it in for their first touchdown.

SCORE: COWBOYS 21, COMMANDERS 10 (Bill Croskey-Merritt touchdown)

The Cowboys moved very well and managed bleeding the clock as the first half was coming to a close. Finally they reached a 3rd and 5 and it was clear that the result was going to be important before teams went their separate ways for halftime.

Unfortunately Dak Prescott was sacked, but that left Brandon Aubrey with “only” 42 yards to go which he was good from.

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SCORE: COWBOYS 24, COMMANDERS 10 (Brandon Aubrey field goal)

That was that. Halftime.

First Quarter

The Commanders won the toss and deferred which put the Cowboys on the field first.

Early in the drive things looked sluggish for the Cowboys, but a penalty on the first third down they faced that was called against Washington seemed to wake them up. In fact, they were so alert that when they reached a fourth and short soon after while still on their side of the field they went for it and got it to keep things moving.

It was a stellar drive when it was all said and done as Dak Prescott found Jake Ferguson for a fun touchdown to start the day off right.

SCORE: COWBOYS 7, COMMANDERS 0 (Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson touchdown)

Getting off to a lead was certainly ideal, but it hardly guaranteed anything. Washington seemed pretty intent on having their own offensive success in quarterback Josh Johnson’s first start since 2021.

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Deebo Samuel did his best to help out. He had a huge catch and run that saw him pop Donovan Wilson’s helmet off at the end.

Thankfully the Cowboys defense held right after this. In fact, Jadeveon Clowney got a sack on Johnson on third down to force a field goal that was good.

SCORE: COWBOYS 7, COMMANDERS 3 (Jake Moody field goal)

The first quarter ended with the Cowboys driving after having just converted another fourth and short.