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Don’t let the 4th quarter fool you. The Washington Commanders (7-5) have some decisions to make down the stretch of the 2024 NFL season.
Facing a Dallas Cowboys team that had given up an average of 34 points per game the last five weeks, the Commanders were able to score just 10 points through three quarters and let several special teams gaffs doom them to a 34-26 loss, leading to several questions about the once potent offense that has started to struggle amidst questions about OC Kliff Kingsburry’s game plans and whether another late-season swoon is underway.
Dallas started the day seemingly determined to give Washington every opportunity to put the game away early.
On the opening possession, the Cowboys allowed Quan Martin to block a Brandon Aubrey field goal attempt. Michael Davis returned the ball to the Dallas 40-yard line. Kicker Austin Seibert kicked a field goal to give Washington a 3-0 lead.
The Dallas mistakes continued. Running back Rico Dowdle fumbled in Commaders territory. Aubrey missed a second field goal. A high snap helped snuff out a Dallas drive, and Washington blocked a Dallas punt.
The Commanders point total off those miscues? Zero.
Tied 3-3 in the third quarter, the Commanders seemingly found its offensive rhythm. Quarterback Jayden Daniels capped a 10-play, 60-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. Seibert, in a huge moment of foreshadowing, missed the extra point, making the lead 9-3.
The defense held the Cowboys at bay until the third quarter. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush (24 of 32, 2 touchdowns) found Jalen Tolbert for a 6-yard touchdown to give Dallas a 10-9 lead.
Rush seemed to put the game away for Dallas with less than six minutes left. On 3rd and six from the Commander’s 22-yard line, tight end Luke Shoemaker got wide open over the middle thanks to a Washington coverage bust. Rush threw a perfect ball for a touchdown and a 20-9 lead.
With the Dallas defense playing soft, Daniels marched the offense down the field quickly and hit Zach Ertz for a four-yard touchdown. Daniels scored on a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 20-17.
Cowboys return man KaVonte Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff but was able to spin away from Jeremy Reeves and Jordan McGee and get into the open field. 99 yards later, the Cowboys were again leading by 10, 27-17.
Daniels, however, wasn’t through. If there is a silver lining in the loss, it is that the rookie quarterback is truly something special.
With 32 seconds left in the game, and on their 14-yard line, Daniels somehow found Terry McLaurin on a go route at the 40-yard line. McLaurin did the rest, outrunning the defense for an 86-yard touchdown.
The game was seemingly headed to overtime. However, Seibert missed the extra point and the score remained 27-26.
The onsides kick, the second in less than a minute, was recovered by Jauanyeh Thomas for yet another touchdown. Daniels threw a Hail Mary interception to end the game. Final score; 34-26 Cowboys.
The Washington coaching staff, specifically the offensive coaches need some serious introspection before the week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has a reputation, fair or not, of directing an offense that starts the season strong but becomes less effective as the year wears on.
At 7-5, Washington still leads the race for the final playoff spot in the NFC, but its lead grows smaller with each passing week.
There’s also the history of the franchise.
In 1996, 2008, and 2018 the team got off to quick starts, 7-2, 6-3, and 6-3 respectively. Those seasons ended with second-half collapses and no playoff appearances.
The 53 players in the Commander’s locker room are the only ones who can make sure history doesn’t repeat itself again.
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