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| NE at NYG | NO at CHI | PIT at BAL | SD at OAK | SEA at ATL | SF at CLE | STL at ARI | TEN at IND |
Week 17 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 6, Washington Redskins 27
What you need to know
| Dallas Cowboys |
Dallas didn't have anything riding on the outcome of this game and they played like it. The Cowboys offense in particular came out flat, and never got on track. The rushing game set a new franchise low by earning only one yard, while Tony Romo and the passing game were held out of the end zone. Terrell Owens missed the game with a high ankle sprain, which certainly contributed to the lack of offensive output. Despite not having anything of meaning to play for, Dallas played their starters for over half of the game, with Romo only leaving the game once he had secured the franchise record for completions in a single season. Despite setting the record, Romo wasn't sharp, and failed to complete half of his passes.
The Cowboys rushing game was atrocious, with usually solid Marion Barber carrying the ball six times for a total of negative six yards. Starter Julius Jones wasn't much better, only earning seven yards on eight carries. Wide Receiver Sam Hurd was the only brief bright spot for the Cowboys offense, as he caught three of his four targets for 64 total yards, which easily led the team.
Safety Keith Davis left the game with an injury, but head coach Wade Phillips indicated he should be able to play in two weeks in the divisional round of the playoffs. On Terrell Owens, Phillips was much less optimistic, calling him "iffy".
| Washington Redskins |
Washington clinched the sixth playoff spot in the NFL with a dominating 26 to seven victory over the visiting rival Dallas Cowboys. With their win, the Redskins earned the right to travel to Seattle for a Wild Card Weekend match up against the Seahawks. Despite playing against a Dallas squad that had nothing to play for, the Redskins looked dominate against the NFC's number one playoff seed. Todd Collins had another excellent game filling in for the injured Jason Campbell, and Clinton Portis had another quality, workhorse like performance on the ground. The defense performed superbly in holding the Cowboys to only one yard rushing for the entire game---a new franchise low for the storied Dallas franchise.
Todd Collins continued his improbably excellent performance as the Redskins starter in the stead of injured first string signal caller Jason Campbell. For the fourth straight game, Collins failed to throw an interception. He favored Santana Moss, whom he targeted 11 times, one of which went for a fourth quarter 42 yard score deep down the right side that effectively sealed the victory. Moss led the Redskins with eight catches for 115 yards, and tight end Chris Cooley added five receptions. Running back Clinton Portis scored two rushing scores in addition to 104 yards on 25 carries.
The defense played inspired ball, as they have since losing their Pro Bowl starting safety Sean Taylor. They held Dallas to only one rushing yard, intercepted Tony Romo once, and defensive end Chris Wilson had two sacks. They held the Cowboys to two field goals, which tied their lowest offensive performance of the year.
What you ought to know
| QB Tony Romo, Pass: 7 - 16 - 86 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Romo was only in the game to get a few reps and earn the Cowboy franchise record for completions in a single season. This effort caused some trepidation for Dallas fans, though, as he appeared injured at the end of the first half. Ultimately, he returned to the game, but left after the series on which he set the record. He was intercepted in the first quarter on a pass intended for Terry Glenn. Romo completed less than half of his passes and didn't throw a touchdown.
| QB Brad Johnson, Pass: 7 - 11 - 79 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Johnson entered the game in the third quarter once starter Tony Romo was pulled. He favorite target was Miles Austin.
| RB Julius Jones, Rush: 8 - 7 - 0, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (3 targets) |
Jones was shut down, gaining only seven yards on eight carries. He was better in the passing game, hauling in two of his targets for 12 yards.
| RB Marion Barber III, Rush: 6 - -6 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
Barber had a really rough game, earning negative six yards on six rushes. He managed one total yard though, as his one catch went for seven yards.
| RB Tyson Thompson, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Thompson had one rush for no gain.
| WR Patrick Crayton, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (5 targets) |
Crayton caught two of his targets for minimal gains.
| WR Miles Austin, Rec: 1 - 35 - 0 (5 targets) |
Austin shared the target lead on the team. Four of his five targets came off the arm of Brad Johnson. His only catch was long enough to earn him a second place finish in receiving yards for the Cowboys.
| WR Terry Glenn (2 targets) |
Glenn, active for the first time all season, failed to catch either of his targets. Redskins' cornerback Shawn Springs intercepted his first look, while his second moved the chains on the basis of a defensive pass interference call.
| WR Terrell Owens |
Owens was inactive with a high ankle sprain.
| TE Anthony Fasano, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (4 targets) |
Fasano caught three of his four targets to tie for the team led in receptions.
| TE Jason Witten, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (5 targets) |
Witten caught two balls from Romo but was pulled in the third quarter with most of the other starters.
| PK Nick Folk 2 - 3 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 6 points |
Folk made field goals of 37 and 30 yards, but missed a 28 yard attempt badly in the second quarter.
| DAL Rush Defense |
Dallas's rush defense gave up 131 total yards on 37 carries for a 3.5 average. They gave 104 yards and two touchdowns to the Redskins starting running back, Clinton Portis. They forced a first half Clinton Portis fumble that they recovered.
| DAL Pass Defense |
Dallas's pass defense gave up 223 yards on 22 of 31 passing for 7.2 yards per attempt. They gave up one late long touchdown to Santana Moss that sealed Washington's victory, and forced no interceptions. The pass rush did get to Todd Collins for three sacks and a forced fumble that they recovered.
| QB Todd Collins, Pass: 22 - 31 - 244 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0 |
Collins had another solid game, throwing for over 200 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. His favorite targets were his starting wide receivers. He threw 11 balls to Santana Moss and six to Randle El. Collins hit Moss on a deep 42 yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter than sealed the victory. He lost a first half fumble and was sacked three times.
| RB Clinton Portis, Rush: 25 - 104 - 2, Rec: 4 - 27 - 0 (5 targets) |
Portis had a great game, rushing for over 100 yards and two rushing scores. He kept the Redskins' offense moving and was an emotional leader on the field. His 131 total yards led the team.
| RB Ladell Betts, Rush: 10 - 29 - 0 (1 targets) |
Betts had an above average number of carries with the Redskins ahead throughout the game.
| WR Santana Moss, Rec: 8 - 115 - 1 (11 targets) |
Moss was Collins' favorite target, and as such led the team in all significant receiving stats. He caught a 42 yard bomb from Collins that scored Washington's game sealing touchdown.
| WR Antwaan Randle El, Rec: 3 - 26 - 0 (6 targets) |
Randle El only caught three balls despite finishing second on the team in targets.
| WR Reche Caldwell, Rec: 2 - 34 - 0 (3 targets) |
Caldwell had two longer type receptions to finish third on the team in receiving yards.
| TE Chris Cooley, Rec: 5 - 42 - 0 (5 targets) |
Cooley caught several short to medium length balls to finish second on the team in catches and yardage. He caught all five of his targets.
| TE Todd Yoder (1 targets) |
Yoder was targeted once deep over the middle, but the ball was tipped away by the defense.
| PK Shaun Suisham 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points |
Suisham made field goals of 46 and 21 yards and connected on all three of his PATs.
| WAS Rush Defense |
Washington's rush defense gave up one total yard on 16 carries for a ridiculously low average. They allowed no scores.
| WAS Pass Defense |
Washington's pass defense gave up 146 yards on 14 of 27 passing for 5.4 yards per attempt. They gave up no scores and intercepted Tony Romo early in the game. Chris Wilson added two sacks.
