Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins: Halftime Updates on Every Possession

On Sunday Night Football, in front of an national audience, the Dallas Cowboys are playing the Washington Redskins to determine who will win the NFC East and earn a playoff berth. The following is a recap of each possession in the first half:

Possession 1, Washington Redskins:

The Redskins returned the opening kick to their own 16 yardline. Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware started the game. The first play was a draw to Redskins RB Alfred Morris out of the shotgun; he gained one yard. On 2nd down, the Redskins had to call a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty. Morris picked up twp yards over the RG to bring up 3rd and 8. RG3 threw and incomplete pass on 3rd down; it would likely have been short of the first down anyway.

Cowboys WR Dwayne Harris returned the punt all the way to Redskins 27 yardline.

December 30, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) runs with the ball as Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Ernie Sims (59) tackles him in the first half of the Washington Redskins game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Possession 2, Dallas Cowboys:

On first down, RB DeMarco Murray gained 2 yards. From the shotgun, Cowboys QB Romo threw an incomplete pass to WR Miles Austin who feel on the play. On 3rd and 8, Romo had a blitzer in his face and threw an interception.

Possession 3, Washington Redskins:

Following the pick, the Redskins took over at their own29. On 1st down, RB Alfred Morris showed his power by breaking tackles and picking up 16 yards. The Skins went right back to Morris on the next play for another big gain of 10. On 1st down, they went back to Morris for a gain of 4. On 2nd down, a swing pass to WR Santana Moss was shut down for almost no gain by Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins. On 3rd down, RG3 kept the ball and ran for the first down after making a move on Ware to get to the outside. A toss right to Morris netted 3 yards. On 2nd and 7, Griffin hit Morris over the middle to force a 3rd and 2 at the Cowboys 19. The Cowboys stopped Morris short of the first down on a run up the middle. Redskins kicker Kai Forbath hit the upright from 37 yards; kick was no good.

Possession 4, Dallas Cowboys:

The Cowboys took over at their  own27. On first down, on a roll-out, Romo had no open receivers and was sacked for a loss of 4. On 2nd down, the Redskins used their second timeout when the Cowboys formation appeared to confuse them. From the shotgun, Romo threw a comeback route to WR Dez Bryant on the outside, but Bryant could not control it. On 3rd and 14, with 5 WR’s, Romo threw to Bryant who made a great diving catch for 23 yards. On the next play, RB DeMarco Murray picked up 5 yards through the middle. On the next play, Romo tried to go long, but he underthrew WR Miles Austin for another interception.

Possession 5, Washington Redskins:

The Redskins began their drive on their own 14 yardline. Griffin hit Morris for pass in the flat for a gain of 6 or 7.  Morris then carried the ball over the left side for a first down. On first down, RG3 had lots of time to throw, but still could not complete a pass. A quick slant and broken tackle (on Mo Claiborne) got the Redskins 12 yards. On a play-action pass to WR Pierre Garcon, CB Claiborne made a nice play on the ball to break up the pass. On a designed run, CB Claiborne knocked RG3 out of bounds for a short gain. On 3rd and 7, WR Santanta Moss caught a quick out for the 1st down. On first down just inside Cowboys territory, RB Morris ran left for 4 yards. After scrambling for what seemed like an eternity, RG3 had to throw the ball away. On 3rd and 6, Griffin missed WR Moss, and the Redskins were forced to punt.

Possession 6, Dallas Cowboys:

Dwayne Harris called for a fair catch on the punt at he Cowboys 10 yardline.On 1dt down, RB Murray made a nice cutback and then showed some power to pick up 7 yards. The Cowboys went back to Murray on 2nd down; he gained just enough for a 1st down.

END of 1st Quarter.

On 1st and 10 from their own 21, they went back to Murray who had to break a tackle to even get close to back to the line of scrimmage (loss of 3). Facing a blitz, QB Romo hit TE Jason Witten for a gain of 7. On 3rd down and 6, Romo hit a wide open WR Dwayne Harris for 25 yards (nice blitz pickup by RB Murray).  On 1st down, RB Felix Jones carried it right on a stretch play for 9 yards; Jones looked pretty quick and made a nice move on the defender to get outside.  WR Miles Austin was slow to get up after the play, so a injury timeout was called. On 2nd down, Jones carried it again over the LG for about 5 yards and a 1st down. On first down, Romo hit WR Dez Bryant on a slant for a gain of 17 yards. The Redskins safety Williams was injured on the play. On first down, from a tight formation with only one WR, RB Murray ran through the middle for 4 yards. The Cowboys went right back to Murray on 2nd down, and he picked up enough for a 1st down at the  Redskins 10. Another run by Murray gave the Cowboys 4 yards, making it second and goal from the 6 yardline. On 2nd down, Murray was dropped for a 3 yard loss. On 3rd and goal, the Cowboys have 5 wide, Romo had tons of time and he eventually found TE Jason Witten for the TD.

Dallas Cowboys 7 – Washington Redskins 0

Possession 7, Washington Redskins:

After a short kick, the Redskins returned the kickoff to their 32 yardline. On a play-action fake, Griffin had all day to survey the field, but eventually fired the ball into the dirt. On 2nd down, RB Morris carried the ball for 3 yards. On 3rd down, Griffin found his TE for just enough yards to get the first down. On the next play, Morris bounced it outside wide left and picked up about 12 yards. On 1st and 10 from the Cowboys 44, Morris took a toss right for another 11 yards and a first down. Ten QB Griffin carried the ball over the RT for 9 yards. The Redskins picked up the first down on the next play with a short run. On first down, Morris was again able to bounce it all the way outside to the left for a 17 yard TD. The Redskins drive was 68 yards; 60 of those yards were on the ground. RB Morris already has over 90 yards.

Dallas Cowboys 7 – Washington Redskins 7

Possession 8, Dallas Cowboys:

TE John Phillips returned the kickoff to the Cowboys 23 yardline. On 1st down, Romo hit Witten over the middle for 10 yards. The injured Redskins safety returned tot he game. On another great blitz pick-up by RB Murray, Romo hit TE James Hanna for a gain of 8 yards. DeMarco Murray picked up enough yards for the 1st down on the next play.

Two Minute Warning.

On 1st and 10 from the Dallas 45, Romo hit Witten for a gain of 4, and then the Cowboys went no-huddle. On 2nd down, Romo found Bryant deep (one-on-one with CB DeAngelo Hall)for a new first down at he Redskins 36. After an incomplete to TE Hanna, Romo hurried a pass to Witten for a short gain on a quick-out. Romo was hit hard on the play, and the Cowboys took a timeout.  On 3rd and 9, from the shotgun, Romo was blitzed again and he threw a deep incomplete. Instead on a 52 yard FG attempt, the Cowboys elected to punt. The punt went into the endzone

Possession 9, Washington Redskins:

With 38 seconds remaining the half, the Redskins were content to run the ball once and let time elapse.

Score at Halftime:

Dallas Cowboys 7  – Washington Redskins 7

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was posted minutes after the conclusion of the 1st half, so it is unedited. Please overlook the typos. Thank you.