Cowboys Start Slow, Finish 1st Half Strong In Washington

The Dallas Cowboys are visiting the Washington Commanders in the final regular season game of the 2023 season.

Dallas has quite a bit to play for, as a win would secure an NFC East title and the second seed in the NFC.

Washington, at least before kickoff, appears to be content sitting key starters and allowing young players to get some snaps.

A victory for Washington would hurt their draft stock, but I expect them to still be competitive.

The Commanders received the opening kickoff after Dallas won the toss but decided to defer to the 2nd half.

1st Quarter

Washington started their first drive well by converting a big run on a reverse to WR Curtis Samuel for 15 yards.

Washington HC Ron Rivera stayed true to his “Riverboat Ron” moniker by electing to go for it on 4th & 1 from midfield.

The Commanders would convert into Cowboys’ territory, but another gamble on the next 4th down would doom Rivera and the Commanders.

A swing pass to Robinson would be stopped short thanks to a quick decision by LB Damone Clark followed by a swarming defense.

After taking over, Dak Prescott and the offense wasted no time getting downfield.

Big passes to Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, and Tony Pollard set up the offense inside the five yard line.

On 1st & Goal, Prescott floated a perfect pass to Jalen Tolbert for the touchdown.

The Dallas defense would make their presence known again on the very next offensive play by Washington.

Jourdan Lewis, who many felt was a tradeable piece this offseason, stripped the ball carrier and recovered it as well.

Facing 4th & 3 from the Washington 23 yard line, Prescott hit a wide-open Jake Ferguson on a slant pattern for a first down to the 15 yard line.

Dallas would only gain another yard on the drive, leading to a field goal attempt by Brandon Aubrey.

The kick was blocked and returned deep into Cowboys’ territory, marking the first miss of Aubrey’s career.

Washington converted a 3rd & 10 with a screen pass to set up a 1st & Goal at the nine yard line.

2nd Quarter

Rivera would again gamble on 4th & Goal from the two yard line.

Washington would convert on a sprint out to the left after Sam Howell found a running Robinson in the endzone.

After a couple of first downs to near midfield, the offense appeared to be on the move again with ease.

Instead, a pass by Prescott was knocked straight up into the air and was intercepted by Washington DB Quan Martin and returned to the 45 yard line.

Rivera, with nothing to lose, once again elected to go for it on 4th & inches from the Cowboys’ 46 yard line, and would convert.

Howell would again march his offense inside the Dallas red zone where two third down penalties would knock them back to almost the 30 yard line.

A failed third down attempt later and Rivera finally elects to send the kicking unit onto the field for a successful field goal.

From their own 28 yard line, Dak and the offense get to work.

Big catches by Lamb and Ferguson followed by a powerful run up the middle by Pollard set up the offense at the Washington 22 yard line.

Another two consecutive hard runs by Pollard placed the ball inside the one yard line.

McCarthy would reward Pollard by sending out the goal line offense and handing it to him for a one yard touchdown.

Washington would start their next drive hoping to take the lead into halftime.

A big sack by Dante Fowler seemed to have thwarted that hope, but Washington would convert a 3rd & 12 to the Cowboys’ side of the field.

Two incompletions later and Howell’s third down pass was intercepted by Donovan Wilson to set up the Cowboys for a chance to score before the half.

A 32-yard swing pass to Rico Dowdle followed by a 15-yard pass to Lamb put Dallas in the red zone.

Two short plays later and Lamb would catch a drag route and stretch the ball out over the white line into the endzone for the Cowboys’ third touchdown.

Scoring Plays

Jalen Tolbert 3 yard pass from Dak Prescott (DAL 7-0)

Brian Robinson 2 yard pass from Sam Howell (WAS 7-7)

Joey Slye 36-yard field goal (WAS 10-7)

Tony Pollard 1 yard touchdown run (DAL 14-10)

CeeDee Lamb 4 yard pass from Dak Prescott (DAL 21-10)

Analysis

The first half in Washington has gone as I expected.

I mentioned in my keys to victory article that strange things tend to happen every time the Cowboys travel to FedEx Field.

Dallas has moved the ball well, but the defense has given up too many yards and allowed Washington to convert too many 4th downs.

Washington has some weapons, and if they are allowed to keep the game close, they can use some of their first half fortune to come out with a win.

The Cowboys need to tighten things up for the second half if they hope to leave Washington with the NFC East title and the second seed in the NFC.