The Cowboys built themselves a 24-0 half-time lead and a 27-8 advantage heading into the final quarter, only for Washington to pull back to within seven of their opponents courtesy of a Cole Holcomb pick-six touchdown, but Dallas held on for the win
Sunday 12 December 2021 23:50, UK
The Dallas Cowboys held off a late Washington Football Team comeback to clinch a crucial 27-20 win over their NFC East divisional rivals on Sunday.
The Cowboys built themselves a 24-0 half-time lead and a 27-8 advantage heading into the final quarter, with their defense - Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory in particular - swarming the Washington offense.
Washington starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke had a couple of spells out of the game as he took several heavy hits, one of which from Parsons saw him cough up a first-quarter fumble that was returned 37 yards by Dorance Armstrong for a score.
Earlier in the first period, a Heinicke interception had also helped set up a Dak Prescott touchdown pass to Amari Cooper from seven yards out, with Ezekiel Elliott adding on a two-point conversion.
In the second half, Washington finally got on the board as receiver Cam Sims pulled off a spectacular jump-ball catch for a 43-yard touchdown toss from Heinicke. The Football Team then stopped Dallas on their ensuing possession, but the Cowboys got the ball back moments later as Jourdan Lewis forced and recovered a fumble by Antonio Gibson to set up the fourth and final one of Greg Zuerlein's field goals in the game.
In the fourth quarter, a Neville Gallimore sack knocked Heinicke out of the game he game with a knee injury. Backup Kyle Allen took over for Washington and directed a late touchdown drive, capped with Jonathan Williams going over at the goal line with five minutes remaining.
Washington still trailed by 13, but suddenly that deficit was reduced to seven inside 56 seconds when Cole Holcomb picked off Dak Prescott on the subsequent drive and ran it back 31 yards for the touchdown.
Washington looked to have the momentum and, after the defense forced a quick three and out, they got the ball back again with three minutes to go to try and tie the game up. But, on 3rd-and-3, Gregory strip-sacked Allen, Jayron Kearse recovered the ball and Dallas ran the rest of the clock out to clinch a vital victory.
The Cowboys (9-4) not only halted the four-game winning streak of Washington (6-7) but they, crucially, have increased their lead in the NFC East divisional race to three games, with only four left of the 2021 regular season.
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Washington and Dallas are both facing further NFC East divisional matchups next Sunday, with Washington on the road in Philadelphia to face the Eagles.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, head to New York to take on the Giants as they look to potentially clinch the division crown with a win.
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