It is on a short list of the ugliest games in the National Football League in 2015 – but it was good enough to move the Dallas Cowboys to within a game of the NFC East division lead. DeSean Jackson’s late fumble on a punt return allowed Dallas to go ahead late.
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“That’s definitely one of the hurdles that we’ve got to jump this season”, rookie receiver Jamison Crowder said.
“Unfortunately it’s not one thing that we can pinpoint”.
Hard to believe, but it’s true.
Monday night’s NFC East showcase between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins turned out to be a slop-fest only a victor could love.
“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity to stay in it”, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said after the game.
About ensuring the safety of all fans at FedExField: don’t let the rival team score 13 points in the last four-and-a-half minutes and everything will be cool.
It’s a shame that Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey’s game-winning 54-yard field goal probably sparked the stabbing incident at FedEx Field.
Kirk Cousins became the first Redskins quarterback since Sonny Jurgensen (1967) to throw a touchdown pass in each of the first 12 games of a season. The loss pushes Washington to 5-7, a record that the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles also share, and Dallas to 4-8.
But Washington coach Jay Gruden will not shy away from using Jackson in similar situations.
Jackson fielded the punt at the 16 with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter of a tie game.
“So what we wanted to do given what we thought they would do to try to play defense, we wanted to come off and have our best football play”.
Jackson did not deflect blame.
“I take that one on my chin”, Jackson said. I knew he would be back when we were texting. Two plays later, running back Darren McFadden scored from six yards out, and Dallas led 16-9.
It didn’t help matters, to be sure, that the Redskins played the unbeaten Carolina Panthers and the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on the road.
“One of the crazier games I’ve ever been a part of”, Cassel said. “But I think at this point, with four games left in the season, being in the month of December, at the end of the day, however we got here, we are right where we want to be”. “We can win the division and that’s what matters”.
Both QBs were mediocre, with Cousins going 22 for 31 for 219 yards with 1 touchdown and zero interceptions, marking the first time Washington has lost this season when he avoided throwing a interception. Cassel was 16 of 29 for 222 yards.
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The Cowboys appeared ready to take the lead in the final five minutes after Cassel found Bryant for a 42-yard completion down the left sideline to the Washington three-yard line.
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“There’s a lot of talent on these football teams that we’re playing, I promise you that”, Gruden said. Hopkins made a 36-yard field goal to give the Redskins a 6-3 edge at the 10:33 mark.
