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Colt McCoy and Redskins beat Tony Romo and Cowboys, 20-17, in overtime in Dallas Colt McCoy and Redskins beat Tony Romo and Cowboys, 20-17, in overtime in Dallas
(35 minutes later)
ARLINGTON, Tex. — A third-string quarterback, a rookie cornerback and a fierce defensive stand pulled off led to a stunning upset in one of the NFL’s more storied rivalries Monday night, as Washington toppled the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys on their home turf, 20-17, in overtime. ARLINGTON, Tex. — A third-string quarterback, a rookie cornerback and a fierce defensive stand combined to pull off a stunning upset in one of the NFL’s more storied rivalries Monday night, as Washington toppled the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys on their home turf, 20-17, in overtime.
Quarterback Colt McCoy was as cool as they come in overtime, not missing a throw as he marched Washington down field on five completions to Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed and DeSean Jackson. Kai Forbath capped the drive with a 40-yard field goal. Quarterback Colt McCoy was as cool as they come in overtime, not missing a throw as he marched Washington downfield on five completions to Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed and DeSean Jackson. Kai Forbath capped the drive with a 40-yard field goal that supplied the crucial margin.
But Dallas had a chance to win the game yet, with its three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo, who had been bounced from the game in the third quarter by a bone-jarring sack, back in for late-game heroics. They didn’t materialize, with rookie Bashaud Breeland batting away Romo’s final throw and bringing the game to its improbable end. But Dallas still had a chance to win the game under overtime rules. Its three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo, who had been forced out in the third quarter by a bone-jarring sack, had re-entered the lineup for late-game heroics. They didn’t materialize, with rookie Bashaud Breeland batting away Romo’s final throw and bringing the game to its improbable end.
With it, Washington (3-5) won back-to-back games for the first time since the close of the 2012 regular season and snapped Cowboys’ six-game winning streak. Washington also got its first victory in the NFC East this season and first since December 2012. With it, Washington (3-5) won back-to-back games for the first time since the close of the 2012 regular season and snapped the Cowboys’ six-game winning streak. Washington also got its first victory in the NFC East since December 2012.
The notion that the Redskins could actually beat Dallas (6-2) drew laughter from a CBS NFL Today crew that included former football luminaries Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Tony Gonzalez. And the entire panel of experts in ESPN’s pregame show picked against the Redskins. The notion that the Redskins could actually beat Dallas (6-2) drew laughter Sunday from a CBS NFL Today crew that included football luminaries Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Tony Gonzalez. The entire panel of experts in ESPN’s Monday night pregame show picked against the Redskins.
It was the latest installment of a rivalry that spans 54 years and for decades was considered the NFL’s best rivalry for the excellence of both teams, which boast eight Super Bowl championships between them, and the enmity of their rabid fan bases. “Everybody really participated in this win,” said first-year Coach Jay Gruden. “It’s a great team win, a big win on the road. But the fact of the matter is we’re still 3-5 and have a long way to go. And we can’t lose sight of that.”
It was the latest installment of a rivalry that spans 54 years and was long considered the NFL’s best rivalry for the excellence of both teams, which boast eight Super Bowl championships between them, and the enmity of their rabid fan bases.
While Monday night’s game was hardly football at its best — with multiple turnovers and missed tackles — it was wildly entertaining, with dramatic swings of momentum.While Monday night’s game was hardly football at its best — with multiple turnovers and missed tackles — it was wildly entertaining, with dramatic swings of momentum.
And for McCoy, a one-time hero at the University of Texas, which he led to 45 victories before embarking on an NFL career that never took flight, it marked the most triumphant of homecomings. And for McCoy, a one-time hero at the University of Texas, it marked the most triumphant of homecomings. McCoy finished 25 of 30 for 299 yards . Sacked three times, he also ran for 16 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown. Running back Alfred Morris (73 yards on 18 carries) rushed for the team’s other touchdown.
Washington was on its third quarterback entering the game, with McCoy supplanting turnover-prone Kirk Cousins. The Redskins’ running game had been a disappointment. The defensive backfield was cobbled together with aging veterans and inexperienced youngsters, had been too easily exploited. Washington is on its third quarterback, with McCoy supplanting turnover-prone Kirk Cousins. The Redskins’ running game had been a disappointment. The defensive backfield, cobbled together from aging veterans and inexperienced youngsters, had been easily exploited.
But the game didn’t get off to the start that pundits and prognosticators expected. But the game didn’t get off to the start that pundits expected.
Washington took a 3-0 lead on a 44-yard field goal by Kai Forbath. Washington took a 3-0 lead on a 44-yard field goal by Forbath.
Strong safety Brandon Meriweather flew in for a sack that dropped Tony Romo for a 12-yard loss and snuffed out the Cowboys’ opening drive. Romo fared no better on the Cowboys’ second drive, which ended on another sack, this one by middle linebacker Perry Riley Jr. Strong safety Brandon Meriweather flew in for a sack that dropped Romo for a 12-yard loss and snuffed out the Cowboys’ opening drive. Romo fared no better on the Cowboys’ second drive, which ended on another sack.
And the Cowboys’ third series ended with Meriweather forcing a fumble that rookie Trent Murphy recovered on the Dallas 25. What seemed like a certain three points, and possibly seven, yielded nothing. McCoy threw deep to wide receiver Andre Roberts in the back of the end zone, but the ball was intercepted by J.J Wilcox. The Cowboys’ third series ended with Meriweather forcing a fumble that rookie Trent Murphy recovered on the Dallas 25. But it went for naught, with McCoy intercepted by J.J. Wilcox.
Washington’s defense exacted revenge. Breeland forced the ball from DeMarco Murray and Meriweather recovered. McCoy hit Jackson for a 49-yard completion. But the drive went nowhere. A Dallas drive of improvisation and grit followed. Romo lofted a desperation toss to Murray, who outran Murphy for a 24-yard gain. On third and five, Romo threw to Dez Bryant, who grabbed the ball with one hand and dragged free safety Ryan Clark into the end zone with him for the Cowboys’ first score. With it, Dallas took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
A Dallas drive of improvisation and grit followed. Romo lofted a desperation toss to Murray, who outran Murphy for a 24-yard gain. From third and five, threw to Dez Bryant, who grabbed the ball with one hand and dragged free safety Ryan Clark into the end zone with him for the Cowboys’ first score. McCoy proved a quick study. After under-throwing Jackson early in the game, he caught up to the wideout’s rare speed in the second half. And after failing to convert a single third down in the first half, Washington finished a respectable 6 of 14 on third downs.
With it, Dallas took a 7-3 lead. “I’ll take a ton of the blame early in the game,” McCoy said. “In the second half, we just dug our cleats in, and believed in each other, trusted each other and found a way to win,” McCoy said.
The defense’s third sack of the night — this one, by Ryan Kerrigan — kept Dallas from adding to its 7-3 lead at the break. Morris, held to 11 yards in the first half, capped an 80-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown that reclaimed the lead, 10-7.
Alfred Morris, held to 11 yards in the first half and sent to sidelines in favor of rookie Silas Redd, re-entered the game to start the second half and capped an 80-yard drive by strolling in for the 5-yard touchdown that reclaimed the lead, 10-7.
Romo, just 10 months removed from back surgery, was shaken up on his fourth sack of the night and after several minutes’ delay was helped off the field. Dallas was forced to punt.Romo, just 10 months removed from back surgery, was shaken up on his fourth sack of the night and after several minutes’ delay was helped off the field. Dallas was forced to punt.
A quick three-and-out by Washington brought the Cowboys offense back — but under the direction of backup quarterback Brandon Weeden. Murray more than compensated for any drop-off in talent, breaking a run for 51 yards, helped along by Washington free safety Ryan Clark, who all but stepped aside to clear a path rather than tackle him. Breeland made another big stand in breaking up a touchdown pass. Dallas had to settle for a 21-yard field goal that knotted the score at 10. A quick three and out by Washington brought the Cowboys’ offense back, under the direction of backup quarterback Brandon Weeden. Murray more than compensated for any dropoff in talent, breaking a run for 51 yards, helped along by Clark, who all but stepped aside to clear a path rather than tackle him. Breeland made another big stand in breaking up a touchdown pass. Dallas had to settle for a 21-yard field goal that knotted the score at 10.
McCoy hit Jackson in stride for a 45-yard completion as the third quarter expired, then bored in for a 7-yard touchdown and 17-10 lead. McCoy hit Jackson in stride for a 45-yard completion as the third quarter expired, then bored in for a seven-yard touchdown and 17-10 lead.
The Cowboys stormed back with an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Weeden hit tight end Jason Witten with a 25-yard touchdown pass, Breeland diving at his feet, to pull even again, at 17, with 9:27 remaining. The Cowboys stormed back with an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Weeden hit tight end Jason Witten with a 25-yard touchdown pass, Breeland diving at his feet, to pull even again, at 17, with 9 minutes 27 seconds remaining.
With the score still knotted and less than two minutes remaining, Romo re-entered the game, but it was fruitless.With the score still knotted and less than two minutes remaining, Romo re-entered the game, but it was fruitless.
More coverage:More coverage:
Summary: Redskins 20, Cowboys 17 (OT)Summary: Redskins 20, Cowboys 17 (OT)
Jenkins: Finally, a big victory — over the Cowboys no less
Reid: McCoy finishes strong to pick up the big win
Bog: Redskins-Cowboys best and worstBog: Redskins-Cowboys best and worst
Gallery: Images from the upset at DallasGallery: Images from the upset at Dallas
Every ESPN analyst picked the Cowboys to beat the RedskinsEvery ESPN analyst picked the Cowboys to beat the Redskins
Redskins PR official to reporter: ‘No means no’Redskins PR official to reporter: ‘No means no’
The Insider: Latest Redskins updatesThe Insider: Latest Redskins updates