Dallas Cowboys: Orlando Scandrick has his best game of the season
It’s been a frustrating last couple seasons for the veteran cornerback, but Orlando Scandrick went into attack mode and delivered a gem of a game.
It was a sloppy game to say the least, but the Dallas Cowboys overcame a ton penalties and bad weather to outlast the Washington Redskins. The obvious stud of the game was Ezekiel Elliott, who after losing a fumble on his very first carry, gashed the Redskins defense for 150 rush yards and a couple of touchdowns.
But the other unsung hero for the Cowboys has to be defensive back Orlando Scandrick. He made a heck of play that quite possibly saved the game.
In the second quarter, the Redskins had the momentum and were about to go up 16-7 when their field goal attempt was blocked by defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford. The ball bounced almost perfectly into Scandrick’ s direction. He scooped it up, ran to his right, then cut back to his left and started sprinting up the sideline.
He was able to take it back all the way to the ‘Skins 5-yard line to help set up an easy Zeke touchdown to put the ‘Boys up by one just before halftime. It was a huge play that turned the tide of the game and the Cowboys would never give momentum back.
Even aside from that monster play, Scandrick was phenomenal. He was flying all over the field and finished second on the team in tackles with 8. Two of them were huge stops for losses.
When the Cowboys needed a stop, Orlando came through. He and the rest of the defensive backfield had a lot of help form this quietly good pass rush, but he stepped up when the ‘Boys needed him to.
It’s been tough on the veteran cornerback these last couple of seasons as he’s been struggling to stay healthy. He most recently broke a bone in his left hand that kept him out of the Denver game, and he had to have surgery to insert a plate. He now plays with a small protective brace on that hand.
However, banged up or not he would simply not be denied in this game.
He showed fight and toughness and was giving the Redskins’ offense all they could handle.
The former Boise State Bronco didn’t record any interceptions or pass deflections, but his coverage on his receivers was the best it’s been all year. His tenacious tackling was crucial and quarterback Kirk Cousins never really got into a rhythm.
We all knew Scandrick is a scrappy type of player with a chip on his shoulder, and against Washington he showed just how dangerous he can be.
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If he can keep delivering those types of performances along with leading this new young corp of defensive backs, the Cowboys will surely be on everyone’s radar. And with the tough schedule coming, they will need these types of gritty games from Scandrick.