Prescott leads Dallas to win despite injury
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-record-breaker to Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 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 leaping grab in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown, 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) started quickly, thanks to three firsthalf turnovers and four overall by the Redskins (5-7). Dallas 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 over allegations of domestic violence, had 127 yards rushing and a clinching touchdown.
The Cowboys’ win forces the NFL-leading Philadelphia Eagles to wait until at least Sunday to clinch the division title. But Dallas still faces a steep climb to playoff contention, and two more games without Elliott.
The Redskins already were eliminated from the division race and are virtually out of the postseason picture after their fourth-straight loss to the Cowboys.
The Redskins’ Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes but also two interceptions, and he also lost a fumble.
On Cousins’ first interception, receiver Jamison Crowder let the pass go through his hands. Crowder also fumbled on a Dallas punt a few plays later.
Prescott injured his right hand in the second quarter, apparently when he was hit while making an option pitch to Rod Smith.
Peppers fined for hit
Cleveland rookie safety Jabrill Peppers has been fined $24,000 by the league for an illegal hit Sunday on Cincinnati Bengals receiver Josh Malone.
Peppers delivered a hard blow to Malone’s chest area on a play near a sideline, but the official ruled that Peppers made contact with the receiver’s helmet and assessed him a personal foul. Cincinnati scored a touchdown three plays later to wrap up its 30-16 win.
Peppers still contends that he led with his shoulder and that his hit was within the rules.
Manziel’s case ends
A 2016 domestic-assault charge against Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel has been dismissed.
The Dallas County district attorney’s office confirmed Thursday that Manziel has completed the requirements of a court agreement that included taking an angermanagement course and participating in the NFL’s substance-abuse program. The case was dismissed on Nov. 22.
Manziel, 24, also had to stay away from former girlfriend Colleen Crowley, who accused him of hitting and threatening her in January 2016.