Cowboys Report Card: Grades in 'Must-Win' at Washington; Extra Credit for NFL Playoffs?

Cowboys Report Card: Grades in 'Must-Win' at Washington; Extra Credit for NFL Playoffs?

It took a while, but the Dallas Cowboys got rolling at FedEx Field and eventually steamrolled the Washington Commanders in a 38-10 win. ... and in doing so earned a great report card to bring home to Mom and Dak.

With Dak Prescott and the offense cooking, the Cowboys put some serious distance between themselves and a potential upset in the third quarter as Dallas clinched the No. 2 seed as well as the NFC East in what was a superb performance to close out the regular season.

At one stage things looked a little rocky with a Prescott tipped interception and the Commanders opening up their playbook, but Dallas steadied and took control emphatically. 

Prior to the game, we highlighted five keys to win for coach Mike McCarthy's team to avoid this banana skin game and take care of business.

So, what are our grades based on those goals?

1. Start fast: BIG PASS On Dallas' opening drive, Prescott led a nine-play, 67-yard drive as he completed all six of his passes for 57 yards, which included a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert.

On the Cowboys' second drive after a fumble recovery from the defense, Dallas had a field goal attempt that was blocked, but the writing was on the wall - Washington couldn't stop Prescott and the offense ... and they never did.

2. Get Micah his 14th sack: PASS It took until the third quarter, but Parsons got his sack and it was the Cowboys' second on the day as Dante Fowler got to Sam Howell earlier.

The Commanders' offensive line couldn't protect Howell as with the game out of hand, Dan Quinn's defense ate him alive as on one fourth-quarter drive, Dallas grabbed three sacks.

But the story is Micah finally getting past No. 13.

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3. Attack the Washington secondary: BIG PASS Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were an unstoppable force as they combined for 13 receptions (13 targets) for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Dak would finish his day midway through the fourth quarter, completing 31 of his 36 passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns, and an unfortunate interception.

Brandin Cooks (6/39/1), Jake Ferguson (6/69), and Rico Dowdle (3/54) all had their way with Washington's secondary. ... and Lamb ends up as the NFL's most productive receiver.

4. Ride that turnover wave: PASS Jourdan Lewis assertively forced a fumble and grabbed the recovery in the first quarter and the Cowboys defense picked off Howell twice with Donovan Wilson and DaRon Bland (yes, another one) getting in on the action.

After Dak's tipped interception in the first quarter, the Cowboys locked in and it was one-way traffic in the turnover battle.

Dallas Cowboys Win NFC East, 2024 NFL Opponents On Schedule Official

5. Stay disciplined: BIG PASS Now this will please a lot of Cowboys to no end. The first - yes, the first! - penalty on the Cowboys didn't occur until there was 5:55 left in the third quarter.

There were no silly offsides or defensive pass interference calls. No lack-of-discipline errors and not too much ref-baiting. It was a clean game for the Cowboys and with so much at stake on the road, it was just what McCarthy and the coaching staff would have wanted.

All in all, it adds up to a dominating win on the road where the Cowboys got everything they came for and did it in style. ... and get to bring home that parents-pleasing report card.