Dak Prescott-led Cowboys survive Redskins, extend streak to 10
The Dallas Cowboys seemingly can’t lose.
Even when their magical formula doesn’t work —controlling the ball and the clock with NFL leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott that has led them to the NFL’s best record — unflappable rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys find a way to keep winning.
The Cowboys improved their franchise-record winning streak to 10 games with a 31-26 victory against the Washington Redskins on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
They ultimately survived 449 yards passing and three touchdowns from Kirk Cousins and a Redskins offense that controlled the clock for 33 minutes, 24 seconds. Dallas used clutch red-zone defense and timely playmaking from Prescott, the fourth-round draft pick who continues to play with the poise and guile of a veteran.
The NFC-East-leading Cowboys moved to 10-1 for the first time since 2007, when they finished 13-3, while burying the Redskins (6-4-1) in the division race with a season sweep. The streaking Cowboys remain in the driver’s seat for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The last time Cowboys won 10 consecutive games came in 1971, but that included three playoff wins capped by a victory in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins, the first Super win in franchise history.
We’re getting it done by hard work, and Dak’s a great example.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
Owner Jerry Jones is not ready to talk Super Bowls, but he feels good about his rookie quarterback and the team’s 10-game winning streak.
“You know you’re talking to someone who knows how hard this is to win 10 games in a row,” Jones said. “I have all the appreciation in the world for the success that we’re having out there. We’re getting it done by hard work, and Dak’s a great example. It feels like our guys know where they are and when they’re there, and what they have to do. That’s pretty impressive.”
Prescott’s passing numbers weren’t special. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 195 yards with a touchdown after passing for 300 yards and in each of the previous two games. But he rushed eight times for 39 yards, including a 6-yard score.
Most important, three times the Redskins rallied to within five points in the fourth quarter, Prescott made plays to keep them at bay — leading the Cowboys on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives before converting a first down to run out the clock.
“Over and over and over again at critical moments, he came up with big plays,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He just played winning football for us. He did the things winning quarterbacks do. He made plays with his feet. He made plays with his feet out in space. He made plays with his arm. I just thought he was outstanding.”
It’s becoming a trend. Prescott completed 6 of 7 passes in the fourth quarter Thursday. Over the past four games, Prescott has completed 25 of 28 passes in the fourth quarter.
He made plays with his feet. He made plays with his arm. I just thought he was outstanding.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett
on Dak Prescott“We have high expectations for ourselves on the offensive side of the ball,” Prescott said. “No matter if we are up or down, we are going to go out there and score. It’s expected. It’s business.”
It’s not expected of a team led by a rookie quarterback and rookie running back. Elliott ended the game with 97 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
The Cowboys led 17-6 at halftime only to see the Redskins narrow the score to 17-12 on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to tight end Jordan Reed.
The big plays on the 90-yard drive was a 26-yard pass to Vernon Davis, a fourth-and-2 first-down conversion pass to Pierre Garcon and a 33-yard pass to Reed. The 2-point try failed.
Prescott and the Cowboys respond quickly with a 21-yard run by Elliott followed by a 19-yard pass to Elliott to get started. Five plays later, Prescott scored from 6 yards out.
Down 24-12, the Redskins got right back in the game with a stop-and-go pass route from receiver DeSean Jackson, who burned rookie cornerback Anthony Brown for a 67-yard touchdown.
But a gamble for an onside kick backfired on the Redskins when linebacker Damien Wilson scooped it up for the Cowboys at the Dallas 47.
The streaking Cowboys play at the Minnesota Vikings (6-5) on Thursday and then have 10 days off before a crucial NFC East game at the New York Giants on Dec. 11.
Clarence Hill: 817-390-7760, @clarencehilljr
This story was originally published November 24, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Dak Prescott-led Cowboys survive Redskins, extend streak to 10."