5 key defensive plays that helped Cowboys beat WFT

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Ricky Seals-Jones #83 of the Washington Football Team is tackled by Anthony Brown #30 and Kyron Brown #36 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedExField on December 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Ricky Seals-Jones #83 of the Washington Football Team is tackled by Anthony Brown #30 and Kyron Brown #36 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedExField on December 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Oct 3, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) celebrates against the Carolina Panthers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Randy Gregory’s late strip-sack saves the Cowboys

As we mentioned earlier, the offense did the defense zero favors in this game – especially in the second half. Despite everything the defense was doing to help the team dominate, poor offensive play almost allowed WFT to come back and win this game.

With just minutes left in the fourth quarter, Prescott had tight end Dalton Schultz wide open for an easy gain for what seemed like hours. After waiting too long, Prescott ended up throwing it pretty much directly to Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb for a costly pick-six. This brought the score to 27-20 just over four minutes to go. And how did the Cowboys’ offense respond… a punt.

But… never fear, Randy Gregory is here!

As WFT tried to stage a comeback, third-string quarterback Kyle Allen’s attempt to escape Gregory’s pressure was not enough. Gregory sacked the QB and forced a fumble. You could confidently call this the play of the game. If  Allen didn’t turnover this ball (thanks to Gregory), WFT could have won this rivalry game.

Gregory’s incredible returning performance might have been one of the best games in his career. In fact, he is only the second Cowboys player in franchise history to have a sack, forced fumble, and an interception in the same game. The only other to do it was Tony Dixon in 2002 – ironically also against Washington.

And what did Gregory have to say after the game? “Bing bong.”

It’s easy to argue that without this defense, the Cowboys don’t win that game. Thankfully, they did. The Cowboys now head to New York to face the Giants in Week 15. Let’s hope we see some more defensive greatness (and an awakened offense) in the Big Apple as well.