Cowboys at Redskins: Penalties kill fourth quarter comeback

The Dallas Cowboys failed to make a game-tying field goal at the end of the game, losing a critical divisional matchup to the NFC East leading Washington Redskins.

The Dallas Cowboys were one kick away from sending their Week Seven matchup against the Washington Redskins to overtime on Sunday afternoon. But the kick from 28-year old rookie Brett Maher clinked off the left upright and out, giving Washington the 20-17 win.

Down 20-10 late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were able to score a touchdown with 1:41 left in the contest, putting them within three points of a tie. After the Dallas defense was able limit Washington to a three-and-out on the following series, the Cowboys offense drove the ball down the field for a game-tying field goal attempt.

The kick was supposed to be from 47-yards away. Instead, a false start penalty called on longsnapper L.P. Ladouceur pushed the attempt out to 52-yards. Maher had made a previous 47-yarder in this game.

Penalties were an important factor in this game as the Cowboys offensive line struggled to create rushing lanes for running back Ezekiel Elliott or a clean pocket for quarterback Dak Prescott. This unit had several calls go against them, mainly for holding.

Rookie left guard Connor Williams was called for both holding and a chop block. Left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle La’el Collins were both cited for offensive holding as well. In total, the Cowboys committed eight penalties against the Redskins, the second most they’ve had all season in a contest. That according to NFLpenalties.com. Three of those penalties came in the fourth quarter.

Under tremendous pressure, Prescott would end the game completing 22 of his 35 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown. It was his highest passing yard total of the season. Prescott also rushed the ball six times for 33 yards and a score.

Elliott struggled in this matchup, rushing for just 34 yards on 16 carries, averaging 2.3 yards per attempt. He was also targeted six times in the passing game, coming down with only two catches for nine yards.

Again it was wide receiver Cole Beasley who led the team with seven catches for 56 yards. Wideout Allen Hurns also posted five receptions for 74 yards. Rookie receiver Michael Gallup recorded the first touchdown of his young career on a 49-yard bomb from Prescott in the second quarter.

Defensively, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence led the team with seven total tackles. Lawrence recorded three tackles for a loss. Linebackers Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith both racked up six combined tackles each. Defensive tackle David Irving had the Cowboys’ lone sack of the game.

The Dallas Cowboys will now enter their bye week with a record of 3-4. Their next game will be against the 3-4 Tennessee Titans. That primetime contest will be in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium on Monday, November 5th, starting at 7:15 p.m. CST on ESPN.