Dallas Cowboys (7-10) – Washington Commanders (12-5): 19-23
A preseason feel this Sunday for this NFC East duel between the Cowboys and the Commanders. The first start Trey Lance (perhaps to save a bonus for Cooper Rush?). Washington left Jayden Daniels for a half, before bringing in veteran Marcus Mariota. And it was the latter which was the key to the victory of the visitors, who came close to losing their sixth place in the NFC.
Washington stalls with the holders
The first half is therefore played by a very uninspired Jayden Daniels: 6/12, 38 yards, sacked 4 times. 55 small yards in five possessions and a field goal, the results are poor and not very reassuring at the dawn of the playoffs.
The fault lies with a good Texan defense and in particular a great Micah Parsons (2.5 sacks).
On the Dallas side, Trey Lance (20/34, 244 yards) is not a points machine, without being horrible either. The Cowboys advance with field goals (4/4 for Brandon Aubrey), before a late touchdown from Rico Dowdle (22 races, 72 yards, 1 touchdown).
Mariota avoids disaster
The pace of the game, far from being frantic, allowed the Commanders, led by Marcus Mariota in the second half, to always stay in touch on the scoreboard.
15/18, 161 yards and 2 touchdowns as well as 56 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground: the Hawaiian is incisive. On a final pass to Terry McLaurin (8 receptions, 62 yards, 1 touchdown) three seconds from the end of the match, the Commanders took the advantage and secured sixth place in the NFC.
