Dallas Cowboys Lose in Overtime to the Washington Redskins, 20-17
The Dallas Cowboys lost to their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins in overtime 20-17 in front of a primetime audience on Monday Night Football. It was a game marred by turnovers and injuries.
After slow starts by both legendary franchises, a 37-yard punt return by the Redskins’ wide recevier Andre Roberts led to a 44-yard field goal by kicker Kai Forbath. That gave Washington the early three point lead.
Late in the first quarter, Cowboys’ back-up running back Joseph Randle fumbled the ball on his own 25-yard line. Recovered by the Redskins’, third-string Washington quarterback Colt McCoy would throw an interception to Dallas’ safety J.J. Wilcox in the back of the endzone just two plays later.
Early in the second quarter, a great 34-yard reception by Murray that went down to the Washington 10-yard line would be negated by yet another lost fumble, his fifth in eight games.
Midway through the second quarter, the Cowboys’ offense would go 80-yards on eight plays, ending the scoring drive with a Dez Bryant full extension touchdown reception, making the score 7-3, Cowboys at halftime.
The Redskins opened the second half with an 80-yard scoring drive of their own that ended with a five yard touchdown run by running back Alfred Morris. Washington would take the 10-7 lead with 9:51 to play in the third quarter.
With 7:59 left in the third quarter, the Cowboys season could have taken a nose dive as starting quarterback Tony Romo was injured during a sack on third down by Redskins’ linebacker Keenan Robinson. Romo remained motionless on the field for several minutes before limping to the sidelines. He was soon led by the Dallas’ trainers to the locker room.
In the meantime, the Cowboys would rally back later in the third quarter following a 51-yard run by Murray. It would lead to a Dan Bailey 21-yard field goal and a ball game tied at 10.
The Redskins’ offense would immediately respond early in the fourth quarter with a seven yard quarterback sneak by McCoy for a touchdown, giving Washington the 17-10 lead. A huge 45-yard reception by wide out DeSean Jackson was the defining play on that scoring drive.
The Cowboys would tie the contest on the following series as Dallas’ back-up quarterback Brandon Weeden would find All-Pro tight end Jason Witten for the 25-yard touchdown pass with 9:27 left in the game.
With 5:13 left in the game, Romo returned to the sidelines. His back-up, Weeden, had led the Cowboys’ offense to 10-points on two consecutive drives to that point. And with less than two minutes left in a tied 17-17 game, Romo returned to the field of play. But Washington’s defense continued to bring the all-out blitz and the Cowboys struggled to protect him eventually forcing the game into overtime.
The Redskins would win the coin toss. On their first offensive drive, Washington would drive the ball into field goal range and take the 20-17 overtime led following a 40-yard field goal by Forbath.
Forced to score on their very next offensive drive, Romo threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to end the game.
The Cowboys’ record is now 6-2 and they’ll have a short week in order to prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday in Arlington.
Along with the injury to Romo, linebacker Justin Durant was also forced to leave the game with an arm injury.
The one positive Cowboys fans can take from Monday’s overtime loss is the fact running back DeMarco Murray continues his 100+ rushing yards per game streak with 141 yards on the ground in the game. Murray also led Dallas in receiving with four catches for 80 yards.