Cowboys splash past Redskins

Dallas relies on Elliott, special teams, defense

LANDOVER, Md. — It was wet. And it certainly wasn’t pretty, especially from an offensive performance that boarded on sloppy and mistake-filled.

But given the injury-challenges of the Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys did what they needed to do in a steady, driving rain for a 33-19 victory at FedEx Field.

It was their second consecutive win and gives them a 4-3 record and momentum going into next Sunday’s crucial match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Normally carried by running back Ezekiel Elliott, quarterback Prescott and its star-studded offensive line, the Cowboys can thank the special teams and defense for Sunday’s victory against the Redskins.

The Cowboys got four field goals from the newly-signed Mike Nugent, five sacks, three fumbles and a game-sealing interception return for a touchdown by safety Byron Jones.

“This game was about team … . Everybody had a piece of this. Offense, defense, kicking game. Everybody. This game was is fight,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told his team in the locker room after the game. “We needed everybody for every minute of that ballgame.”

“We didn’t blink. We didn’t look

left, didn’t look right, didn’t look behind us. Focused on the task.”

But the turning point came in the second quarter with the Redskins leading 13-7 in the second quarter and seemingly set to make it 16-7 on a 36-yard field from Nick Rose.

But defensive end Tyrone Crawford blocked the kick. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick picked up the loose ball and started right before reversing back left down the sideline behind a convoy of blockers.

He was tackled 86 yards later, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run from Elliott.

A 14-13 halftime lead was 17-13 early in the third quarter when Crawford caused a sack and forced fumble. Nugent then made a 36-yard kick.

Fullback Keith Smith forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by cornerback Bene Benwikere.

A 26-yard touchdown run by Elliott was called back for holding on tackle Tyron Smith, his second of the game.

But Nugent made it 20-13 with a 48-yard field goal.

The Cowboys offense got as close as the 9 yard line on the ensuing drive, but receiver Dez Bryant dropped a would-be touchdown, setting up a 27-yard field goal from Nugent.

It was 26-13 following another Nugent field goal before the Redskins made it close with a touchdown in the final 4 minutes.

It was fitting that the defense closed it out after Elliott and the running game couldn’t put it away.

Defensive end David Irving’s tipped pass was returned 21 yards to the end zone by Byron Jones with 21 seconds left on the clock to empty the remaining rain-soaked fans out of the stands.

“To make stops and to hold them to field goals was big,” Garrett said. “I think our defense got better as the game wore on. The offense fed off that.”

The Redskins opened without three starters on the offensive line and then lost guard Shawn Lauvao during the game.