NBC 5 Sports’ Pat Doney and Cowboys Insider Jean-Jacques Taylor break down the Cowboys’ 38-14 win over Washington at AT&T Stadium on NBC Thursday Night Football.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Cowboys still have hope they can make the playoffs. The odds are slim, but they play the New York Giants next week, and the Giants have been one of the league's worst teams. The Cowboys are back at .500, and a win next week will push them over .500 with just one game left in Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension.
TURNING POINT: The Cowboys drafted Ryan Switzer in the fourth round to give their punt and kickoff returns some juice. Well, he has hasn't provided much this season, but two weeks ago, he had a 63-yard kickoff return against Philadelphia. He made his biggest play of the game in the second quarter, when he took a punt 83 yards for a touchdown — the first of his career. The return gave Dallas a 17-0 lead, forcing Washington to give up running the ball.
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Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys claps on the sidelines during a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins is stopped by Byron Jones #31 and Xavier Woods #25 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in in the first quarter of a football game as David Irving #95 and Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys try to rush at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys walks on the field before the game agaisnt the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a touchdown pass reception against Deshazor Everett #22 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys takes the handoff from Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to evade tackle on a scramble in the first half of a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys questons a call during the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys gets sacked by Anthony Lanier II #72 of the Washington Redskins and Josh Harvey-Clemons #40 of the Washington Redskins in the first half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Ryan Switzer #10 of the Dallas Cowboys dives into the endzone on an 83-yard touchdown punt return against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Chidobe Awuzie #33 of the Dallas Cowboys breaks up a pass intended for Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins in the first half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Ryan Switzer #10 of the Dallas Cowboys runs past Nick Sundberg #57 of the Washington Redskins for a 83-yard touchdown punt return against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Ryan Switzer #10 of the Dallas Cowboys runs past Nick Sundberg #57 of the Washington Redskins for a 83-yard touchdown punt return against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins is sacked by Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to evade Ziggy Hood #90 of the Washington Redskins and Zach Vigil #56 of the Washington Redskins on a carry in the first half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a touchdown pass reception against Deshazor Everett #22 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins sits on the bench during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Ryan Grant #14 of the Washington Redskins makes a catch before running in for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins passes the ball in the first half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins fumbles the ball after a hit by Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a touchdown pass reception against Deshazor Everett #22 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during the game agaisnt the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins pulls down a touchdown in the end zone against Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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The right hand of quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys after a 38-14 win against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball in the second half of a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Chris Jones #6 of the Dallas Cowboys punts against the Washington Redskins in the second half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Ryan Switzer #10 of the Dallas Cowboys dives into the endzone on an 83-yard touchdown punt return against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball out of bounds against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys in a football game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Ryan Switzer #10 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his 83-yard touchdown punt return against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fourth quarter rushing touchdown against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Alfred Morris #46 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fourth quarter rushing touchdown against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys and Keith Smith #41 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a fourth quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alfred Morris, playing against the team that cut him two seasons ago, had his best game in a Cowboys' jersey. He gained 127 yards on 27 carries and punished Washington in the second half. Morris had 38 yards in the first half, but with the Cowboys leading in the second half they leaned on their offensive line and wore down Washington's defense.
KEY STAT: DeMarcus Lawrence had two sacks, giving him 13.5 this season. His first-quarter sack ended a streak of 33 consecutive possessions without a sack for Dallas' defense.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cowboys will play the New York Giants, leading candidate for the NFL's most dysfunctional team this season, on Dec. 10. The Giants benched Eli Manning this week, and coach Ben McAdoo is expected to be fired at the end of the season. The Giants will go quietly into the night, but the Cowboys must nudge them.
