LANDOVER, Maryland — It is time for a come to Jesus meeting for the Dallas Cowboys. After an unsettling week for the team following anonymous comments made by a player criticizing Dallas’ coaching staff, things will only get worse from here as dissatisfaction rises. In a pathetic output, the Cowboys lost to the Washington Football Team 25-3.
The Cowboys were not able to get anything going in a positive direction on either side of the football. It seems the only fight this team had went down with Dak Prescott. Once again, Cowboys’ fans had to witness a one-sided matchup.
Washington came into the game as the worst rushing team in the league and totaled 125 rushing yards in the first half and 208 yards on the ground during the game. , The club had 133 total yards after the first two possessions. The Washington Football Team had not scored 20 points since their week one win over the Eagles and scored 22 against Dallas in the first half.
An uninspiring performance by the Dallas defense continued allowing wide-open big plays. Antonio Gibson had an open seam and ran practically untouched 12 yards for a Washington touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter more of the same missing hustle for the Cowboys’ defense ensued. Terry McLaurin ran right past Trevon Diggs to connect with Kyle Allen on a 52-yard TD pass to extend their lead 15-3, which would have been worse but Donovan Wilson broke up the two-point conversion in the back of the end zone. The worst came with 3:08 left in the second, Logan Thomas connected with Kyle Allen, and Jaylon Smith did not finish a tackle in space and the poor coverage by Smith led to a 15-yard touchdown for Thomas. Washington then led 22-3 at the half.
Their play was complemented by a Cowboys’ offense that could not reach the end zone throughout the game and finished with 142 total yards. A telling note, Amari Cooper was the only Dallas receiver that caught a pass against Washington. Dallas’ offense got off to a rough start once again that shifted the momentum after the Cowboys’ defense forced a three and out. Landon Collins sacked Andy Dalton and forced a fumble that was recovered by Dalton Schultz. He stumbled into the end zone, resulting in a safety and two points for Washington. Not a promising start for a team that has constantly had to work from behind due to mistakes. On the next drive, the offense had to settle for a field goal after the best starting field position of the year provided by a 66-yard kick return by Tony Pollard; an accurate depiction of the unit’s struggles. The offense finally got into a rhythm to end the second quarter, but the drive ended in an interception. Ezekiel Elliott did not fumble the ball but Dalton’s pass intended for Zeke was tipped and recovered by Cole Holcomb. Holcomb consistently disrupted in the running and passing game.
The game was long over prior to the final whistle blow. Andy Dalton was consistently flushed out of the pocket with pressure. Jack Del Rio took full advantage of the Cowboys’ banged up offensive line. To add to the Cowboys misfortunes on the injury front, Dalton suffered a dirty hit by Jon Bostic. He was ejected following a helmet-to-helmet hit as Dalton slid down. The former TCU product did not return to the ballgame with a concussion and backup Ben DiNucci came in at quarterback. DiNucci faced the same havoc by the defense that Dalton did in the pocket, who was sacked on his first drive in the game. Dalton endured three sacks and six QB hits.
An embarrassing loss for the Cowboys who are now the laughingstock of the league and topic of criticism. The memes will continue unless changes are made.
