By Alex Al-Kazzaz
When Dallas and Washington square off, anything can happen. One team could be horrible while the other is very good, and an upset happens. Or one team destroys the other. The rivalry between Dallas and Washington speaks for itself. It has far more than its fair share of moments. Good and bad. For both sides. But what we saw on Sunday? Well, this moment in the rivalry's history was written in the closing minutes.
Against all odds, Dallas got the win. This game was near our nation's capital, meaning it was deep in enemy territory for Dallas. This Dallas team has an endless injury list, with a terrible offensive line and running game and an untrustworthy defense. Washington entered this game on a two-game losing streak and was adamant about getting back on track with a home win over their long archrivals. That didn't happen.
The first half of this game was boring. Frankly, it stunk! Dallas had a few field goal mishaps, while Washington couldn't do much themselves. The game was tied 3-3 at the half. The fourth quarter is the story. A total of 41 points were scored in the fourth quarter. But it's the game's final three minutes that give this story its ultimate THRILLER of a conclusion.
With 5:16 left in the game, Dallas was up 20-9. By the time the clock hit 3:02, Washington cut it to 20-17. All Dallas had to do was gain one or two first downs and get to the two-minute warning still on offense. Instead, Dallas' KaVontae Turpin had a 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown that gave Dallas a ten-point lead. By then, the clock was at 2:49, which was enough time for Washington to pull off a possible comeback.
The Commanders made it 27-20 with 1:40 left to play. Dallas flopped on the next drive, going three plays for -1 yards and having to punt. With only 21 seconds on the clock, all Dallas had to do was simply be weary of any long pass attempts as well as a hail mary, given what happened in that fateful finish between Washington and Chicago a few weeks ago. But Dallas had to mess that one up because Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin for 86 yards and a touchdown! It was at that point where Cowboys fans had completely lost their mind. That is until...Austin Seibert MISSED THE EXTRA POINT. Yes, Seibert missed it WIDE. And it was not his first miss of that game as he had missed a field goal and an extra point prior.
After what we thought was Washington's miracle yet again was not quite it. Not yet at least because with 14 seconds left, Washington attempted an onside kick but Dallas recovered and returned to the house! Dallas had another kick-off return for a touchdown, giving the Boys a 34-26. Frankly, it would been wiser for the returner to just fall to the ground so Dallas can just eat up the final remaining seconds, but the returner took a chance and got his moment of fame.
With less than ten seconds, Washington tried their luck again, but this time Dallas was able to thwart it on the final attempt on a hail mary. Dallas intercepted the pass and that was it. Dallas broke their five-game losing streak, and now they get ready for the Giants at home on Thanksgiving!
Washington will host the Tennessee Titans on the first of December. If Washington is not out of the NFC East title race now, they'll be for sure if they lose to the Titans. However, with the Eagles being red-hot, it seems futile. For Dallas, they're definitely out of the race, but was this win good or bad for them? Considering a top-ten draft pick, this win may affect that...
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