Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu (24) celebrates after Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert (3) misses a field goal during the first half of an NFL game on Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
After enduring their longest losing streak since 2015, the Dallas Cowboys found a way to win, defeating the Washington Commanders 34-26 on Sunday in dramatic fashion. Missing key players and facing steep odds, the Cowboys delivered big plays in crucial moments to secure their first victory in nearly two months.
Special Teams Magic
The game’s decisive moments came late in the fourth quarter. KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown with 2:49 remaining, putting Dallas up by 10. Then, with just 14 seconds left, Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick 43 yards for another score, sealing the Cowboys’ victory.
“That was Houdini-style,” Turpin said of his electrifying return, which began after the ball slipped through his hands to the 1-yard line.
Even with these heroics, the Commanders nearly forced overtime. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds left. But kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point, leaving Washington a point short.
Overcoming Adversity
The Cowboys entered the game with a depleted roster, missing quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee), and others. In total, injuries accounted for over $100 million in salary cap space unavailable for Dallas.
Still, the Cowboys focused on what they could control.
“Very rewarding for everybody that got an opportunity,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think I mentioned last night, this game needs to be about who’s playing, the things we need to do to win. This game was not going to be about who’s not here — and just take advantage of your opportunity.”
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush stepped up, throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker to give Dallas a 20-9 lead with just over five minutes left.
A Wild Finish
The final moments of the game were a rollercoaster. Daniels hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown with 3:02 remaining, followed by a successful two-point conversion to cut the Cowboys’ lead to three.
After Turpin’s 99-yard return, Seibert nailed a 51-yard field goal to bring the Commanders within seven. Daniels’ long touchdown to McLaurin could have tied the game, but Seibert’s missed extra point left Washington trailing.
Thomas’ return of the onside kick for a touchdown sealed the game, and Dallas safety Israel Mukuamu intercepted Daniels’ Hail Mary attempt to end the game.
“When we got it down to the end there, it was just a game situational extravaganza,” McCarthy said. “It was like Yahtzee. I think everything was in there. Just a lot of situational football. Things to learn from things we worked on all the time. Still got to execute in those spots.”
What’s Next?
The win improves Dallas to 4-7, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Their next three games are against NFC East rivals the New York Giants (2-9), followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) and Carolina Panthers (3-8).
“Behind the eight ball,” Dallas pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got to win game after game and consistently do that and play good for these next, what do we got? Seven games? Six?”
It’s six.
“There’s a lot of games left,” Rush said. “We’re sitting at 4-7, and this is why you play. You just have to get that first win.”
The Cowboys will aim to keep the momentum rolling in Thursday’s matchup against the Giants in Dallas.
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This report used information from ESPN.
