The Dallas Cowboys entered their Week 17 game without any hope for a postseason appearance. The club raced to a huge lead, but lost two of their top four offensive weapons to injury as RB Javonte Williams and TE Jake Ferguson exited the game in the first half.
With Dan Quinn figuring out how to pressure Dak Prescott to the tune of six sacks, the Cowboys had to rely on the leg of Brandon Aubrey to solidify their standing as the superior team. After scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game, Dallas needed three Aubrey kicks to keep the Commanders at bay in a 30-23 win.
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The victory improved Dallas to 7-8-1 on the year, with a chance to finish .500 if they can win in Week 18 when they travel to take on the New York Giants.
Prescott finished with 307 passing yards, two scores and a 97.5 passer rating despite not having his best game. Under pressure throughout, there were several errant throws and miscommunications. His two top receivers, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb didn’t have great games despite playing a defense that has had numerous problems throughout the year.
Things became extremely difficult for them once Ferguson (calf) and Williams (shoulder) were forced from the game after scoring the team’s first two touchdowns. While Malik Davis (20 carries, 104 yards) picked up Williams’ slack in carries, it was the continuous breakdown in blocking from the offensive line and friends that allowed the game to get close.
That occurred when Commanders RB Bill Crosky-Merritt raced 72 yards for a score, closing a 14-point lead down to seven. The team’s traded field goals from that point forward, with the Cowboys eventually running out the clock.
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Washington was playing without starting QB Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota, with Josh Johnson making the start. Johnson is one of just a handful of quarterbacks who didn’t thrive against Matt Eberflus’ defense.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Aubrey FGs help Cowboys hold off Commanders Christmas comeback, 30-23
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