The Dallas Cowboys did not look like a playoff contender while defeating the Washington Redskins 27-24 in overtime on Sunday. The Cowboys allowed several huge returns by the Redskins’ Brandon Banks, allowing Washington to stay in the game and even take a 14-10 halftime lead. Dallas was called for nine penalties, two of which allowed the Redskins to tie the game in regulation and then attempt a possible game-winning field goal. It was a division win on the road, but the Cowboys have a lot of work to do.
The Cowboys’ defense was extremely two-faced on Sunday. On the positive side, Dallas sacked Washington quarterback Rex Grossman three times, intercepted him once and recovered a fumble. However, those big plays were negated because the Cowboys gave up a stellar 89-yard drive to the Redskins at the end of regulation, allowing Washington to make the game-tying touchdown to send the contest into overtime.
Another key error by the Cowboys’ defense that was evident on that last drive was red zone play; the Redskins scored three touchdowns on three red zone trips, including the game-tying score on their final drive in regulation. Before this game, Dallas was decent at holding opponents to field goals or no points in the red zone, only allowing them to do so roughly 50 percent of the time.
Washington is now on a 6-game skid and has changed quarterbacks twice this season. That’s not the type of team that should be taking the Cowboys to overtime, at least not the Cowboys who demolished the Buffalo Bills 44-7 a week ago.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has to be embarrassed by the play of his secondary against Washington. Grossman completed 25 of 38 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas was without starting cornerback Mike Jenkins and it showed.
Redskins receiver Jabar Gaffney caught seven Grossman passes for 115 yards and a score. He was open all afternoon, beating both Cowboys cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick and Terence Newman before shaking free from Dallas safety Gerald Sensabaugh.
However, it was Gaffney’s teammate, Redskins receiver Donte’ Stallworth who seemed to be uncoverable at the end of regulation. He beat Dallas cornerback Alan Ball for the game-tying 4-yard touchdown reception.
After the Cowboys’ defense absolutely stifled the Bills’ explosive passing attack, Ryan was furious with his players for getting burned by the Redskins’ receivers all afternoon. Like former Cowboys fullback and current FOX color commentator Daryl Johnston said several times during the game, Dallas and Washington will always play a close game, no matter the caliber of both teams. However, the Cowboys did not look like a team that’s claimed to be re-focused and ready for a serious playoff run. No doubt Ryan will be looking for redemption on a short week as the Cowboys host the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving.
Contact Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin
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