Here’s an instant analysis of the Cowboys’ 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field:
WHAT IT MEANS: The Cowboys have surged over .500 with consecutive wins and Ezekiel Elliott just surpassed the 100-yard mark for the third consecutive game. Now, we have to see if Elliott is going to have to serve his six-game NFL suspension or whether he’ll continue to play, while the courts hear his case. The decision will have a significant impact on the Cowboys’ season.
TURNING POINT: Washington lined up for a 36-yard field goal that would’ve given the Redskins a 16-7 lead with 3:19 left in the first half. Instead, Tyrone Crawford blocked the kick and Orlando Scandrick returned it 88 yards to the Washington 4. Two plays later, Ezekiel Elliott scored on a one-yard run to give Dallas a 14-13 lead.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tyrone Crawford, easily the most under appreciated player on the Cowboys’ defense, had a sack, a forced fumble and blocked a field goal - the game’s key play. He also hit the quarterback four times. He seems to have found a home at right defensive end because teams have to pay so much attention to defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle David Irving.
KEY STAT: In their first game without Dan Bailey, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Mike Nugent made field goals of 36, 48, 37 and 27 to help the Cowboys slowly pull away from Washington. He missed from 49 yards in the second quarter.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cowboys will host the high-scoring Kansas City Chiefs and their explosive offense built around receiver Tyreke Hill, running back Kareem Hunt and tight end Travis Kelce. Even if the Cowboys find out this week that they’re going to lose Elliott for six games, they positioned themselves to withstand his absence and still make the playoffs with wins the last two weeks.
