Dak Prescott had a solid game, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns as the Dallas Cowboys narrowly defeated the Washington Commanders 30-23. Dallas jumped ahead quickly, taking a 21-3 lead. Although the Commanders managed to cut the deficit down to a touchdown several times, they ultimately couldn’t finish the comeback, marking their 10th loss in 11 games.
This matchup lacked playoff implications for both teams. The Cowboys (7-8-1) and Commanders (4-12) were already out of the playoff race, which dampened the game’s significance for fans.
Prescott completed 19 of his 37 passes, converting all six of his fourth-down attempts. His two touchdowns brought him to 30 for the season, tying Tony Romo’s franchise record for the most seasons with at least 30 touchdowns. Despite being sacked six times, including three by Jer’Zhan Newton, Prescott kept his composure.
Due to injuries to their quarterbacks, Washington turned to Josh Johnson, 39, who stepped in for his first start since 2021. He went 15 for 23 with 198 yards, notching no touchdowns or interceptions. Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored for Washington with runs of 10 and 72 yards. The second touchdown pulled them to within seven points in the third quarter, but the Cowboys answered back with a long field goal.
In another game, the Detroit Lions faced the Minnesota Vikings and lost 23-10, effectively giving the Green Bay Packers a playoff spot. The Lions had a rough outing, committing six turnovers, which eliminated them from postseason contention. After a strong previous season, the Lions (8-8) struggled to find their rhythm and lost their third straight game. Jared Goff’s performance suffered, with three lost fumbles and two interceptions.
This season, the Lions had been a team to watch with the fewest turnovers in the league, but this game highlighted their vulnerabilities. Their fall from grace sparked conversations among fans and analysts on social media about what went wrong and what the Lions need to improve for next season.
The playoff dynamics have shifted this year, as evidenced by the uptick in turnovers across the league. According to recent statistics, teams with high turnover ratios are often left out of the playoff picture. It reminds us how critical ball protection can be in football; it’s a lesson echoed by coaches and players alike.
Both the Cowboys and Lions will have to reflect on their seasons and find a way to return stronger next year, learning from the highs and lows of this unusual season.
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