Third-string quarterback Colt McCoy came back to his home state and helped lead the Washington Redskins to a 20-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
McCoy grew up in Tuscola, Texas, which is just a hair under three hours away from where he played tonight, the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
McCoy (25 of 30 for 299 yards, no touchdown pass and 1 interception) put together a gritty effort with his running and his passing, and with this win he helped to give the NFL media and Redskins fans something else to talk about as far as the Redskins quarterback situation.
Down 3-0 to the Redskins (3-5 overall, 1-2 NFC East) late in the second half, the Cowboys went to work on their first scoring drive of the first half. This scoring drive culminated with a Tony Romo (17 of 27 for 209 yards, 1 touchdown pass and no interceptions) quick hitch-screen touchdown pass of 5 yards to receiver Dez Bryant; who caught the pass low to the ground and with one hand, then he turned up field and then broke two tackles with him finally stretching his body and the ball into the end zone from the 1 yard line. With 4:45 left in the first half, Dallas had a 7-3 lead.
It took a while for the Redskins to score their first touchdown of the game and it came courtesy of running back Alfred Morris (18 carries for 73 yards and 1 score), who used blocks from right guard Chris Chester and right tackle Tom Compton to amble into the end zone from 5 yards out. The score was now 10-7 Washington with 7:34 left in the third quarter.
But the Cowboys (6-2 overall, 1-1 NFC East) got even more bad news when they lost Romo to an injury—-later known as a back injury—-when he was sacked for a 12 yard loss by Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson near the eight minute mark of the third quarter. That sack forced a 4th and 23 punt from Chris Jones.
Romo was replaced by number two quarterback and 30-year old Brandon Weeden two drives (one Redskins drive and one Cowboys drive) later. Weeden and the Cowboys went to work on the ‘Skins defense, with the highlight of the drive being a 51 yard cutback to the left and down the left sidelines run by running back DeMarco Murray (19 carries for 141 yards and no score).
That big run set up a successful Dan Bailey 21 yard field goal. The score was now tied at 10-10 with 4:03 left in the third quarter.
But the Redskins came right back on the ensuing drive with beneficial receptions by three different players: Morris (a 12 yarder to the WAS 47), Helu (his 7 yard reception on 3rd and 6 kept the drive alive), and the biggest play of the drive being a deep down the field 45 yard reception to the DAL 8 yard line by wide receiver DeSean Jackson (6 catches for 136 yards and no score) versus Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr.
That Jackson reception set up a McCoy 7 yard touchdown run which gave Washington the lead at 17-10 lead with 13:38 left in the game.
But once again the Cowboys countered another ‘Skins scoring drive with one of their own. And once again Murray came through for his team, this time he latched on to a screen-pass reception that he took 23 yards to the WAS 33. That big play set up a Weeden 25 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Jason Witten (5 catches for 70 yards and 1 score) down the right sideline. That play tied the game at 17-17 with 9:27 left in the game.
On the ‘Skins ensuing drive, fullback Darrel Young bailed the Skins out of a dilemma, when he caught a 12 yard reception on 4th and 1 to the DAL 37 yard line. But Young’s reception went for naught as five plays later Tress Way came in to punt on 4th and 14.
Romo came back in on the ensuing drive after tests on his back injury in the locker room were good enough for him to return. But he was faced with a drive that started at the DAL 3 yard line with just under two minutes left in the game. Later, an intentional grounding call on Romo on 3rd and 1 forced a Jones punt that he sent to the WAS 29 yard line. After Jones’ punt and one Redskins kneel down it was now Overtime (OT).
Second year tight end Jordan Reed (7 catches for 40 yards for the game) was the biggest deal on the ‘Skins first drive of OT, as he caught 3 passes for 21 yards which got his team to the DAL 22. His catches helped set up a successful Kai Forbath 40 yard field goal which gave Washington a 20-17 lead with 9:43 left in OT.
On 4th and 3 with 8:21 left in OT, Romo threw a sideline pass intended for Bryant that was broken up by rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland. Game Over.
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