Cooper Rush may have saved Cowboys' Jerry Jones from making grievous mistake

The Dallas Cowboys are back in the win column after one of the craziest games against the Washington Commanders in the rivalry's history.

An unprecedented 31 points were scored in the final 3:02 of regulation, including two touchdowns of more than 85 yards: KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return and Terry McLaurin's 86-yard catch and run that nearly tied the game before kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point.

The chaotic ending painted over what should have been the game-ending drive piloted by Cooper Rush with five minutes left after Donovan Wilson forced a Jayden Daniels fumble in Washington territory.

Gifted a short field, Rush punctuated a five-play, 44-yard drive in the form of a 22-yard touchdown strike to Luke Schoonmaker that put Dallas up 20-9 with 5:16 left.

Absolutely chaos transpired afterward, but Rush deserves credit for bouncing back after two admittedly awful starts. By taking the form of 2022 Cooper Rush, the veteran QB may have saved Jerry Jones from making an obvious mistake.

Cooper Rush's bounce-back game may save Cowboys from signing Daniel Jones

If anything was learned on Sunday it's that the Cowboys have not given up on the season. Micah Parsons exclaimed after the game that Dallas isn't done yet. It's clear they are still playing for Mike McCarthy and their pride.

That's a testament to McCarthy and the leaders of the team keeping the locker room together amid the five-game losing streak.

Jones has also refused to waive the white flag. He insisted after Rush's previous two starts that he gives the Cowboys the best chance to win. With that said, a loss to Washington and Dan Quinn to extend the losing streak to six games may have incentivized the 82-year-old to do something reckless like signing Daniel Jones.

RELATED: Cowboys brutally tricked fans into thinking they signed Daniel Jones

Fortunately, that idea is likely out of the picture now. Jones cleared waivers on Monday and is now an unrestricted free agent. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Jones wants to sign with a playoff contender and circled the Ravens and Vikings as potential landing spots.

Despite a forgettable final season with the Giants, Jones figures to have a strong market. Beyond Baltimore and Minnesota, the 49ers, Lions and Dolphins also make sense as destinations. Not only could those teams use insurance at quarterback, but they are also elite at developing young QBs.

Jones to the Cowboys always felt like a ridiculous idea. As hilarious as it would have been if Jones was wearing a star on his helmet on Thanksgiving vs. the Giants, it never made any sense. Not only is Dallas confident in Rush, but Trey Lance is still hanging around as QB2.

We still maintain that signing Jones in 2025 to backup Dak Prescott isn't a crazy idea. As far as a last-ditch pickup to salvage the season, though, adding Danny Dimes would have done nothing but create more headlines and distractions.

Sunday's gritty win over the previously 7-4 Commanders proves the players Dallas has in the locker room are more than enough to see out the final six games of the season.

More Cowboys news and analysis