Dallas Cowboys Claim First Victory with Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott guided the Dallas Cowboys to victory in a tightly contested game against the division rival Washington Redskins 27-23.
It was Prescott’s first win of his NFL career.
After a complacent debut last week, Prescott worked out some kinks with a 292-yard performance. He finished going 22-for-30 with a rushing touchdown, his first NFL score. He remains one of nine quarterbacks who have yet to throw an interception.
In a game full of miscues and mistakes, Prescott proved to be the more reliable and steady quarterback to win the game.
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Ezekiel Elliot improved on his Game 1 dud with a 21 carry, 83-yard game and a touchdown. He did however fumble twice, losing one of them. Elliot is in a prime position to develop into a top-tier runner, but mistakes are going to occur for the young back over the course of his rookie year. With his costly fumbles, his first “successful” NFL game has yet to come two weeks in.
Dez Bryant provided an anchor role for Prescott to rely on, rounding out the dynamic trio with an outstanding game; racking up 102 yards on 7 catches. With serious chemistry issues in Week 1 between him and Dak, it’s a relief to see them working on the same page. Dez Bryant clearly won the battle against All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, who was under fire for not trailing Antonio Brown on Monday Night. Zone defense is his strength, man-to-man not so much after today.
Washington’s mistakes put them in an 0-2 start as the game was well within reach. Quite the opposite of Prescott, Kirk Cousins threw his 3rd interception of the season on a horrible decision. Garcon had a window on a crossing route deep in the end zone, but Cousins took too long to hit him and Barry Church pounced on the weak throw.
Cousins had respectable stats to finish the game. 364 yards, 28/46 passing, and a touchdown throw alongside his end zone interception. But he missed throws that in hindsight could have won them the game. DeSean Jackson found himself wide open, but Cousins overthrew him on a potential touchdown play. Rookie Josh Doctson made a great 57-yard receiving catch, but it could have been a touchdown if Cousins didn’t underthrow him.
Throw all of that on top of botching great field position from a Cowboy’s failed onside kick attempt and forcing a red zone fumble to prevent another scoring drive, the game should have been won by the Redskins.
Cousins has the talent to be a franchise quarterback but last season is looking more of a fluke then instead of a real playoff contender. With zero wins against .500 teams last season, the Redskins failed to deliver once again against tough opponents.
Dallas remains an NFC East contender with a 1-1 record in the wide-open division race. The Redskins are still in it too, but are starting the season on the wrong foot.
50/50 games are huge in the NFL and with Dak Prescott leading his team with a game-winning drive in the final 5 minutes, he had more poise than the 20 million dollar quarterback opposite of him.
Washington looks for their first win of the season against the 2-0 New York Giants next week.
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