Cowboys win to keep playoff hopes alive

ARLINGTON — Dak Prescott was getting Xrays on his swollen right hand when rookie Ryan Switzer scored his first career touchdown on an 83yard punt return.

The extra time with the Dallas offense on the sideline kept Prescott from missing any plays, and last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year led the Cowboys to their first win after three straight losses without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise recordbreaker to Dez Bryant, in the Cowboys’ 38-14 victory over Washington on Thursday night.

The injury happened in the second quarter when Prescott’s right hand was hit by linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons just as he made an option pitch to Rod Smith. Thanks to Switzer’s dash, Prescott never left the game.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever broken my hand,” Prescott said. “I couldn’t grip initially right after because the (hand) swelled up on me so bad. They wrapped it up, got the swelling down and I was fine.”

Bryant’s leaping 13-yard leaping in the end zone was the 2014 All-Pro’s first score in six games and 72nd of his career, one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.

The Cowboys (6-6) never trailed despite a sluggish start to the offense, thanks to three first-half turnovers and four overall by Washington (5-7).

Alfred Morris, Elliott’s replacement during the six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence, had 127 yards rushing and a TD.

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant goes up and over Washington’s Bashaud Breeland to haul in a 13-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. It was the 72nd of his Cowboys career — one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.