The Dallas Cowboys have resumed their winning streak following one of the most unpredictable games in the history of the rivalry against the Washington Commanders.
In the final 3:02 of regulation, an unprecedented 31 points were scored, including two touchdowns of over 85 yards: KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kickoff return and Terry McLaurin’s 86-yard reception and run, which nearly tied the game before kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point.
After Donovan Wilson forced a Jayden Daniels fumble in Washington territory, Cooper Rush was supposed to lead the game-ending drive with five minutes remaining. However, the tumultuous conclusion obscured the fact.
Rush completed a five-play, 44-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker, which gave Dallas a 20-9 lead with 5:16 remaining. He was granted a short field.
Rush deserves credit for rebounding from two unquestionably disastrous starts, despite the complete chaos that ensued. By adopting the persona of 2022 Cooper Rush, the veteran quarterback may have prevented Jerry Jones from making an apparent error.
If anything was learned on Sunday it’s that the Cowboys have not given up on the season. Micah Parsons declared following the contest that Dallas is not yet finished. It is evident that they continue to compete for the sake of their prestige and Mike McCarthy.
That’s a testament to McCarthy and the leaders of the team keeping the locker room together amid the five-game losing streak.
Jones has also refused to waive the white flag. He insisted after Rush’s previous two starts that he gives the Cowboys the best opportunity to win. That being said, the 82-year-old’s decision to sign Daniel Jones may have been motivated by a loss to Washington and Dan Quinn, which extended the losing streak to six games.
Fortunately, that idea is likely out of the equation now. Jones cleared waivers on Monday and is now an unrestricted free agent. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Jones wants to contract with a playoff contender and circled the Ravens and Vikings as potential landing spots.
Despite a forgettable final season with the Giants, Jones figures to have a robust market. Beyond Baltimore and Minnesota, the 49ers, Lions and Dolphins also make sense as destinations. Not only could those teams use insurance at quarterback, but they are also elite at developing new QBs.
Jones to the Cowboys always felt like a ridiculous notion. As hilarious as it would have been if Jones was donning a star on his helmet on Thanksgiving vs. the Giants, it never made any sense. Not only is Dallas confident in Rush, but Trey Lance is still lingering around as QB2.
We still maintain that signing Jones in 2025 to backup Dak Prescott isn’t a crazy notion. As far as a last-ditch purchase to salvage the season, though, adding Danny Dimes would have done nothing but create more headlines and distractions.
Sunday’s gritty win over the previously 7-4 Commanders demonstrates the players Dallas has in the locker room are more than enough to see out the final six games of the season.
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