Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Dallas sent reeling after trick play
Bills get first Thanksgiving win since ’75 in first holiday appearance in 25 years
ARLINGTON, Texas — Cole Beasley savored a little extra time on the field with his former teammates after what had to be one of the most satisfying days of the Buffalo receiver’s career.
And to think he didn’t even have the most noteworthy play for the Bills’ pass-catchers.
John Brown became the first Buffalo receiver to throw a touchdown pass, Josh Allen set a franchise record by producing at least two touchdowns in an eighth consecutive game and the surging Bills beat the fading Dallas Cowboys 26-15 on Thursday.
Allen’s TD pass was to Beasley, who had 110 yards receiving in the stadium where he spent his first seven seasons as the Bills (9-3) got their first Thanksgiving win since 1975 in their first appearance on the holiday in 25 years.
“It’ll be the most satisfying day when we win a Super Bowl,” said Beasley, who was critical of the Cowboys after leaving, then had six catches and finished 2 yards shy of his career high against them.
“It’s just another win, another step in the right direction.”
The Cowboys (6-6) stumbled after scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, giving Philadelphia a chance to rejoin them atop the NFC East after their fourth double-digit loss in the past six Thanksgiving games.
A lackluster showing for Dallas’ sixth loss in nine
games came four days after owner Jerry Jones blasted the coaching staff following a loss to New England from a team that entered the season with lofty expectations.
Jones remained supportive of embattled Coach Jason Garrett, who is in the final year of his contract in his ninth full season.
“This is not the time for me,” said Jones, who made an in-season change when Garrett got the job in 2010. “I’m looking ahead at winning four or five straight. Every decision
that I make over the next month will be with an eye in mind to get us in the Super Bowl now.”
Buffalo ............................ 0 13 10 3 — 26
Dallas ............................. 7 0 0 8 — 15
First Quarter
Dal—Witten 8 pass from Prescott (Maher kick), 10:34. Second Quarter
Buf—Beasley 25 pass from Allen (Hauschka kick), 8:01.
Buf—Singletary 28 pass from Brown (kick failed), 1:52. Third Quarter
Buf—FG Hauschka 41, 10:47.
Buf—Allen 15 run (Hauschka kick), 3:37.
Fourth Quarter
Buf—FG Hauschka 26, 8:20.
Dal—Bryant 15 pass from Prescott (Witten pass from Prescott), 4:01.
Attendance—90,445.
Buf Dal First downs 22 32 Total Net Yards ............................. 356 426
Rushes-yards ............................. 34-124 19-103 Passing ......................................... 232 323
Punt Returns ................................. 0-0 0-0
Kickoff Returns ............................. 3-56 0-0 Interceptions Ret ........................... 1-0 0-0 Comp-Att-Int .............................. 20-25-0 32-49-1 Sacked-Yards Lost ....................... 4-27 4-32
Punts ........................................... 3-42.0 2-40.5 Fumbles-Lost ................................. 1-0 3-1 Penalties-Yards ............................. 7-53 5-66
Time of Possession ..................... 33:18 26:42
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Buffalo, Singletary 14-63, Allen 10-43, Gore 9-11, Foster 1-7. Dallas, Elliott 12-71, Prescott 4-25, Pollard 3-7.
PASSING—Buffalo, Allen 19-24-0-231, Brown 1-1-028. Dallas, Prescott 32-49-1-355. RECEIVING—Buffalo, Beasley 6-110, Singletary 3-38, McKenzie 3-34, Brown 3-26, Knox 3-17, Foster 1-20, Gore 1-14. Dallas, Cooper 8-85, Elliott 7-66, Witten 6-42, Gallup 3-63, Cobb 3-53, Austin 2-22, Jarwin 2-9, Bryant 1-15.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—Buffalo, Hauschka 50. Dallas, Maher 47.