The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak in a wacky game in D.C., pulling out a 34-26 win over Washington in a game that saw four touchdowns scored in the final 3:30.
"Feels good to win," coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's been a minute."
The win snapped a five-game skid, Dallas' longest losing streak in a season since a seven-gamer in 2015.
The Cowboys took a 20-9 edge with just over five minutes to go before things went off the rails. Washington marched down the field, scoring a touchdown and adding a two-point conversion to pull within three points. Then, KaVontae Turpin, after bobbling a kickoff, zoomed 99 yards for a TD. Washington responded with a six-play field goal drive to get it back to one possession. The Commanders then forced a three-and-out. On the next play from scrimmage, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard catch and score. However, Austin Seibert shanked the PAT, keeping Dallas up one. Juanyeh Thomas then took the onside attempt 43 yards for a touchdown. Thomas' decision not to slide down actually provided Washington one final Hail Mary heave, which Israel Mukuamu intercepted. (Breathe.)
The ridiculous ending came after each side traded miscues; from missed field goals to blocked punts to coverage busts to bad penalties, it was parsecs from a clean game.
For a Dallas defense that has been scorched of late, the early play was promising, even if the Cowboys stumbled down the stretch.
"Yeah, I mean, obviously you feel good because you're in the position to win the game if you get another stop, but the point is you shouldn't even get there," Micah Parsons said, per the team's official website. "That's the reality. We shouldn't even get to hoping that they miss a field goal. ... We should be able to end the game on defense, get off and take a kneel down -- not all the kick returns and extra points and all that nonsense.
"We should be able to end the game."
Eventually, Dallas did end the game, moving to 4-7 on the season. With their next four games against teams with a losing record, the Cowboys could make things interesting, even if the playoffs seem like a pipedream.
First, they'll need to dispatch rival the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.
"Ending the losing streak is good, but what are you gonna do the next couple weeks?" Parsons said. "You can do it one time but, consistency, so do it again against the Giants."