Dallas Cowboys right the ship, top Redskins 38-14: Quick Takes

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Ryan Switzer
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Ryan Switzer /
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The Dallas Cowboys finally stopped their three-game losing streak with a win over the division rival Redskins. Here are the Sport DFW staff Quick Takes:

The Dallas Cowboys needed this one. After losing the last three games in historically poor fashion, Dallas had to stop the bleeding. QB Dak Prescott, specifically, needed to break his slump of recent weeks. And break his slump he did.

After nearly breaking his throwing hand on an ill-conceived option pitch, Dak powered through the swelling and led his team to victory. He converted those previously-impossible to convert third downs, and got his timing and confidence back behind a dominant rushing attack.

While playoff chances remain slim for the now 6-6 Dallas Cowboys, the team made a statement with their effort and tenacity. Critics recently accused the team of giving up but the Cowboys provided proof to the contrary on Thursday night.

Now for your Sport DFW Quick takes:

Dan Ruppert

Well, I can honestly say that was an unexpected and refreshing game to watch. There is still a lot to clean up as the offense looked shaky for parts of this game. With the turnovers, this game should have been out of reach much earlier than it was, but the offense got rolling as the game wore on. If nothing else, it could be something to build on in the coming weeks.

The defense surprised me a little bit, but the Redskins have so many injuries on their offensive line it is hard to say this will be the defense we will see over the rest of the season. Chidobe Awuzie looked fantastic on the field and if he can keep this play up, the defense should be better than it has been. I don’t think I will be going out on a limb to say we will see something similar from the defense next week.

Dak still looks very inaccurate at times and if he can use this game as confidence then all the better for the Cowboys. Some of the problems could be the hand injury, but to say he hasn’t had issues wouldn’t be honest. I’m sure the Cowboys will look good next week, but it is the games after that we will need to see this type of game. A good win and, a much needed win.

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Dink Kearney

Finally, the Dallas Cowboys woke up from their hellacious nightmare of losing three games in a row and beat down the hated Washington Redskins 38-14 in dominant fashion. The Cowboys looked like the team that was favored to go to the Super Bowl, or at least the team that had been averaging 28 points a game before the suspension of Ezekiel Elliott.

But I was more impressed with the defense in how they sacked Kirk Cousins four times, pressured Cousins throughout the game, forced four turnovers (2 ints, 2 fumbles) and flew to the ball. David Irving and Demarcus Lawrence are the real deal.

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This is the best I’ve seen the Cowboys defense play, especially with the intensity and laser like focus. Yes, it gave up 14 points and allowed Cousins to complete eight passes en route to a touchdown. But that was as bad as the defense played the entire game.

I’m very impressed with the Cowboys secondary, Kavon Frazier, Chidobe Awuzie, Xavier Woods, and Jourdan Lewis. Frazier and Woods are hard hitters who run to the ball like a cheetah chasing a gazelle, and they can cover.

Awuzie has proven he can cover and hit when healthy. Along with Lewis, he’s going to be a very good corner. This quad squad is going to be good. Frazier was so good that Byron Jones was sitting on the bench while Frazier played.

It was nice to see Dak Prescott get back on track and play like the talented quarterback he is. Although Dak had a few bad throws and a swollen hand, he passed for two touchdowns and 102 yards and no interceptions. He looked comfortable in the pocket and made better decisions. It’s proven that Dak can play like a Pro Bowler when the Cowboys have a running game. Alfred Morris proved that he still has some gas in the tank as he ran for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown.

After a slow start, it was great to see Dak get the Cowboys back on track, and keep the critics off his back for at least one week.

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Also, congratulations to Dez Bryant for breaking the late Hall of Famer Bob Hayes touchdown reception record with is 72 career touchdown receptions. That’s a great feat for Dez.

Let’s hope this is the beginning of a winning streak that puts the Cowboys in the playoffs.