Dallas defeats Washington for its first win without Elliott
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally found a way to win without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
The question is whether the defending NFC East champions figured it out in time to salvage their fading playoff hopes.
Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise recordbreaker to Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys beat Washington 38-14 on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas.
Prescott, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, shook off a hand injury and found Bryant on a 13-yard leaping grab in the end zone for the 2014 All-Pro’s first score in six games and 72nd of his career, onemore than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.
The Cowboys (6- 6) started quickly thanks to three first-half turnovers and four overall by Washington (5-7) and kept it going after halftime with a 21-7 scoring edge after getting outscored 72- 6 in the second half of three straight losses without Elliott.
Alfred Morris, Elliott’s replacement during the six- game suspension for alleged domestic violence, had 127 yards rushing and a clinching touchdown.
The Cowboys forced NFL-leading Philadelphia to wait until at least Sunday to clinch the division title.
Washington had already been eliminated in the division race and is virtually out of the postseason picture after Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and lost a fumble while throwing two touchdown passes. ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED AGAINST MANZIEL » A 2016 domestic assault charge against Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel has been dismissed.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Manziel successfully completed requirements of a court agreement that included taking an anger management course and participating in the NFL’s substance-abuse program. The case was dismissed Nov. 22.
The 24-year-old Manziel also had to stay away from former girlfriend Colleen Crowley, who accused him of hitting and threatening her during a January 2016 night out. Manziel faced a misdemeanor charge that carried a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. BRADY FEELS FOR BENCHED MANNING » The man who lost two Super Bowls to Eli Manning says that Manning getting benched as New York Giants quarter- back is “a pretty unfortunate situation.”
“I have nothing but the most respect for him and everything he’s achieved and accomplished in his career,” New England Patriots QB Tom Brady said during a Westwood One Sports radio interview that was to air Thursday.
“Obviously, being on the other side of two of those Super Bowl losses to an Eli Manning-led team, I just have so much respect for his dependability, for his consistency, for his toughness. You know that’s really everything you want in an NFL player, and I think Eli has always provided that for the team. So I think it’s a pretty unfortunate situation.”
Excerpts from the interview appeared onNFL.com.
The Giants, at 2- 9, announced earlier this week they would begin playing Geno Smith and rookie Davis Webb at quarterback, with an eye on the future. Originally, the plan was to start Manning and then switch up — keeping Manning’s streak of consecutive starts, nowat 210, alive. But Manning nixed that idea, calling it “pointless.” REVIS LIKELY TO DEBUT » Darrelle Revis is expected to make his debut with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday against his former team, the New York Jets.
“It’s just exciting to have this opportunity to return back to football,” Revis said.
The seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback established himself as one of the best at his position during his first tenure with the Jets, which began in 2007 and ended with a bitter divorce in 2013 when he was traded to Tampa Bay. Revis spent the next season in New England before returning to New York in 2015.
Revis was out of work until signing a two-year deal with the Chiefs last week. BROWNS’ GORDON RETURNS » Josh Gordon’s complicated and curious journey from drug-riddled streets to NFL stardom to suspensions to rehab to possible redemption is headed to a fitting location. In Hollywood’s shadow.
Banned from the league the past two seasons for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, Gordon will play his first regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014, when the Browns visit the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Hue Jackson told espn.com Gordon will start.
“Perseverance story, really more than anything,” Gordon said when asked what message he hopes to convey. “A guy that was able to bounce back. Overcoming. Defying the odds. The underdog story.”