ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys made sure that their fans enjoyed their Thanksgiving day celebrations by running away with a 45-10 win over the Washington Commanders.
The November spectacle hasn't been this much fun for the Cowboys recently, as they had gone 4-6 in the annual holiday outing over the last 10 turkey day games, with none of their victories coming by more than one score. Dallas hadn’t won with a nation watching with pumpkin pie in hand by more than double digits since defeating the Raiders 24-7 in 2009. Coincidentally, that win gave the team a record of 8-3, which Thursday’s win over the Commanders matched.
Lately, the Cowboys have been giving their fans more a feeling of agita rather than euphoria on Thanksgiving, but that all changed in this contest as they continued an impressive trend from this season. While the outcome was in doubt for the first three quarters, the Cowboys did what they do best in 2023, they closed it out in style.
Dallas outscored the Commanders 25-0 in the fourth quarter enroute to the blowout; a final 15 minutes which saw head coach Mike McCarthy’s team have more fun than we’re used to seeing in the NFL.
The rout began following a Dallas field goal that put them up 23-10 before the Commanders rolled the dice on a fourth-and-one from their own 34-yard line, which resulted in defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins’ second sack of the game and a turnover on downs.
The Cowboys cashed in just three plays later when quarterback Dak Prescott hit wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for a 15-yard touchdown. It was Prescott’s third touchdown pass of the game and the two-point conversion gave the Cowboys a 21-point lead, which opened the floodgates.
The defense got another turnover on downs before Prescott unleashed a perfect strike to WR KaVontae Turpin for a 34-yard score. That gave the veteran QB a fourth touchdown and put him over 300 yards for the fourth time in five games, finishing with 331. Prescott now has three straight games with over 300 yards passing and four or more touchdown passes at home.
The scoring toss was impressive, but the celebration kicked off a festive final six minutes. After the touchdown, Turpin hopped into the Salvation Army red kettle – a celebration made famous by former running back Ezekiel Elliott in previous years – and along with Prescott, pulled out some turkey legs to feast on.
However, the fun wasn’t over, even if the game was signed, sealed, and delivered. The Commanders were playing out the contest when a little history happened on Thanksgiving.
Washington quarterback Sam Howell, who had been tough on Dallas’ defense for most of the game, tested cornerback DaRon Bland in the flat. That’s something that hasn’t been wise this season, and the second year CB did what he’s done all year, he made the QB pay and added another tally to the scoreboard.
Bland picked off Howell and returned it 63-yards for the touchdown. It was Bland’s fifth pick-six of the season, setting a new NFL record.
The play was an incredible moment for Bland, but the reaction from his teammates, coaches, and even CBS announcer Jim Nantz was perfect. In another dominating performance for Dallas, this stuck out as something that will become one of the plays of the year for the Cowboys. With five pick-sixes, Bland thrust himself into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Before the fourth quarter fun, the contest was perhaps closer than expected, but the Commanders never really threatened to beat Dallas. When Howell scored on a short touchdown run late in the second quarter to pull within four points, the Cowboys answered with a quick five play, 75-yard scoring drive to go back up 10 points before halftime.
While it wasn’t an easy game for the first three quarters, as expected between two NFC East squads, McCarthy's team felt like they were in control for most of the contest. Prescott was aggressive throwing the ball down the field and, after missing on a few deep throws early, he hit on six passes that went for over 20 yards.
The defense also pressured Howell all game, yet only managed four sacks. Edge rusher Micah Parsons had 1.5 sacks to pair with Hankins’ two, while defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa had a big fourth down stop.
This was another game where the offense gave the team a double-digit lead behind Prescott’s MVP-like play, and the defense finished it off in spectacular fashion. That’s been the recipe all year and the Cowboys cooked it to perfection again on Thanksgiving.
A happy Thanksgiving indeed for the Dallas Cowboys.
Do you think DaRon Bland will add to his new NFL record before the season ends? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
