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Cowboys 'Burn The Tape?' Coach Mike McCarthy Explains 26-6 Debacle at Washington: Live Game Log

The Cowboys didn't get it done in Washington on Sunday. CowboysSI.com keeps you informed with live game updates.

Timm Hamm

The Dallas Cowboys visited the division rival Commanders on Sunday with a chance to still take the NFC East title.

It did not go well.

The Cowboys will not repeat as NFC East champions after their 26-6 loss at Washington in Week 18, an outing that does not seem like much of a momentum-builder for the playoffs, where Dallas will open Wild Card weekend at Tampa.

"I'm not a 'burn the tape' guy,'' said Dallas coach Mike McCarthy, taking the blame for the loss while promising to have his team learn from it.

So how did it all break down? Come along with us on a chronological ride ...

Yes, Dallas could've done something here with a win over the Commanders on Sunday and a Giants win over Philadelphia at the Meadowlands. They also still have an outside shot at the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC and a first-round bye with a Cardinals win over the 49ers in addition to a win over Washington and a Philly loss.

Dallas is coming off a win over Tennessee last week and has won six of its last seven games. The Commanders lost to the Browns in Week 17 which contributed to their elimination from postseason play.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is on a six-game interception streak, the longest of his career, but thanks to a stingy defense, Dallas is 5-1 in those games. But despite missing five games from the season schedule, Prescott is tied with the league lead with 14 interceptions. Minnesota's Kirk Cousins and the benched Derek Carr in Las Vegas share that number.

On a positive note, however, Prescott needs just one touchdown pass on Sunday to move him ahead of Hall of Famer Troy Aikman for second on the team's career list with 166.

Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell is making his NFL regular season debut on Sunday. A weak Washington offensive line against a stout Cowboys pass rush could make for a long day for the former North Carolina Tar Heel.

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff...

Dallas won the toss and elected to  go on offense first.

FIRST QUARTER: Commanders 7, Cowboys 0

The Slye kick goes 67 yards to the end zone, where Turpin returns it 29 yards to the DAL 27. PENALTY on DAL-T.Coyle, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 20.

Elliott runs for a gain of one on first down, then runs for four on second down to the DAL 15 for a 3rd and 5. Prescott passes complete to Noah Brown for 10 yards and a first down at the DAL 25.

Prescott throws incomplete on first down as he throws the ball OB under pressure, then Pollard runs to the left side for a gain of five to the DAL 30 for a 3rd and 5. Pollard can only get three for a fourth down.

BOTCHED PUNT ATTEMPT COWBOYS: Anger can't handle the snap on the punt and fumbles the ball, recovered by Anger at the DAL 20, first down Commanders.

Williams runs up the middle for a gain of four yards.

TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Howell passes short middle to McLaurin for 16 yards and a touchdown. The Slye extra point is good for a 7-0 Washington lead with 11:08 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 20 yards in two plays and took 37 seconds off the clock.

Slye kicks to the end zone for a touchback. The Cowboys take over from their own 25.

Prescott throws incomplete to Hilton on first down, then Pollard runs off right end for three for a 3rd and 7 upcoming. Prescott is sacked for a loss of 10 yards to the DAL 18.

The Anger punt goes 50 yards to the WAS 32, Milne returns it six yards to the WAS 38. First down Commanders.

Sam Howell throws incomplete to the right side, out of bounds, pressured by Clark. Williams runs off right tackle for six yards then on 3rd and 4, Howell misses McLaurin for a 4th and 4.

Way punts  41 yards to the DAL 15, where Turpin muffs the catch, recovered by Holmes at the DAL 15. First down Commanders from the DAL 15.

Williams runs off right end for two, then runs again for three off left end for a 3rd and 5. Howell is sacked for a loss of five yards by Armstrong and Parsons.

MISSED FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Slye misses from 31 yards, wide left. Cowboys take over on downs from their own 20.

Prescott hits Ferguson for a gain of four, then passes to Elliott for no gain and a 3rd and 6. Prescott scrambles for two yards for yet another three and out. Time for another Cowboys punt.

The Anger punt goes 41 yards to the WAS 32 where Milne fumbles but recovers at the 33.

Howell passes short on the left side for Patterson who gains two before being pushed OB at the WAS 35. PENALTY on DAL-T.Diggs, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 33.

Rogers runs off left end for a two-yard gain, then Howell passes for Samuel for a three-yard loss. Penalty on WAS-T.Turner, Ineligible Downfield Pass, declined.

On 3rd and 11, Howell passes deep right to McLaurin incomplete. PENALTY on DAL-T.Mullen, Defensive Pass Interference, 25 yards, enforced at WAS 37. First down Washington.

Patterson runs off right end for five, then Howell scrambles off right tackle for nine yards on first down.

Howell is sacked by Sam Williams for a loss of three. DAL-C.Watkins was injured during the play.

Patterson runs for 14, then again for three to the DAL 9. On 2nd and 7, Patterson gets one more for a 3rd and 6. 

END OF FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER: Commanders 13, Cowboys 6

Howell passes short left to McLaurin for six to the DAL 2 and a 1st and Goal.

Williams runs left guard for a loss of three. 

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS: Howell passes short left intended for Sims in the end zone, intercepted by Hooker for a touchback.

Pollard runs off left guard for four yards. With that carry, Pollard reaches the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

Prescott misses Gallup on the right side and a sure pick-6 is dropped by Fuller.

INTERCEPTION-TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Prescott passes short right for Brown INTERCEPTED by Fuller and returned 29 yards for the touchdown. The Slye extra point is no good for a 13-0 Commanders lead with 12:38 in the half.

Slye kicks off into the end zone for a touchback.

Elliott runs up the middle for three yards, then runs again for two. On 3rd and 5 Prescott misses Gallup on the left side. Fourth down. Again.

The Anger punt goes 59 yards to the WAS 11, returned seven yards by Milne to the 18.

Patterson runs off right tackle to the 24 for a six-yard gain, then Howell passes incomplete to Patterson. On 3rd and 4, Howell scrambles for nine and a new set of downs.

Howell passes to Dotson who runs OB at the DAL 37 for a 30-yard gain.

Curtis Samuel runs off left end and is stuffed for a four-yard loss. Patterson runs off left tackle for two, then on 3rd and 12, Howell hits Thomas for a gain of just five.

MISSED FIELD GOAL: Slye misses from 52, hit the left upright. Turnover on downs to Dallas.

Pollard runs for three, then Prescott misses Brown deep down the middle for a 3rd and 7. Prescott misses Lamb deep down the middle. Fourth down.

Anger punts 38 yards to the WAS 17. First down Washington.

Williams runs off left tackle for four, then again for two for a 3rd and 4. Howell gets the first down with his legs with an eight-yard scramble. 

Howell is then sacked for a loss of five yards by Odighizuwa. Williams runs up the middle for a gain of one and a 3rd and 14. Howell passes short middle to Thomas for a gain of 11 and a fourth down.

The Way punt goes 44 yards to the DAL 18, Turpin returns it five yards to the DAL 23.

Prescott hits Lamb for the first time for five yards, then hits Lamb again for six and a first down.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Prescot hits Schultz for a gain of seven yards, then finds Gallup for another 10 to the WAS 49 and a new set of downs with 1:45 left in the half.

Prescott throws incomplete to Schultz on first down, then incomplete to Schultz again on second down for a 3rd and 10. Prescott then finds Schultz for 12 yards to the WAS 37 and a first down.

Prescott hits Hilton for 11 yards to the WAS 26 with 54 seconds.

Timeout #1 by DAL at 00:49

Prescott throws incomplete to Lamb short on the right side, then misses Schultz across the middle with 44 seconds and a 3rd and 10 upcoming. 

Timeout #2 by DAL at 00:39

On 3rd and 10, Prescott scrambles left for nine yards to the WAS 17.

Timeout #3 by DAL at 00:32

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION COWBOYS: ON 4th and 1, Prescott sneaks off right guard for a first down. 

Prescott misses Gallup in the back of the end zone incomplete.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: Prescott finds Lamb in the end zone for 15 yards and a touchdown. The Maher extra point is no good, wide left, for a 13-6 Commanders lead with six seconds left in the half. The scoring drive goes 77 yards in 14 plays and took 2:31 off the clock.

The Maher kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Howell kneels to end the half.

HALFTIME

Cowboys halftime leaders:

Passing: Dak Prescott - 9/21, 80 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Rushing: Tony Pollard - five carries, 18 yards

Receiving: CeeDee Lamb - three catches, 26 yards, one touchdown

Commanders halftime leaders:

Passing: Sam Howell - 6/10, 66 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Rushing: Jaret Patterson - six carries, 31 yards

Receiving: Jahon Dotson - one catch, 30 yards

Washington will have the ball first to start the second half.

THIRD QUARTER: Commanders 20, Cowboys 6

Maher kicks to the WAS 2, returned 27 yards by Patterson to the WAS 29.

Williams runs left guard for nine, then again for no gain for a 3rd and 1. Williams gets stuffed for a loss of two yards for 4th and 3.

The Way punt goes 48 yards to the DAL 16, returned by Turpin go the DAL 23 for seven yards.

Elliott runs off right end for five yards - PENALTY on DAL-D.Schultz, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 23.

Prescott hits Lamb for 12 on the right side for a 3rd and 8 from the DAL 25. Prescott throws incomplete for a fourth down.

Anger punts 42 yards to the WAS 33, Milne returns 16 yards, pushed OB at the WAS 49.

 Patterson runs off right guard for two yards, then runs again for two. On 3rd and 6, Howell throws incomplete to Dotson.

The Way punt goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Pollard runs for one yard, then Prescott throws two straight incompletions for another punting situation.

The Anger punt goes  54 yards to the WAS 25, returned by Milne for nine yards to the WAS 34.

Williams loses a yard on first down, then Howell hits Williams for a gain of one. On 3rd and 10, PENALTY on WAS-W. Schweitzer, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 34.

On 3rd and 15, Howell hits Williams for eight yards and a fourth down.

The Way punt goes 49 yards to the DAL 14, Turpin returns for no gain.

Elliott loses two yards off right end on first down, then Prescott throws incomplete to Schultz for a 3rd and 12. Prescott throws incomplete again to Hilton deep down the left side. WAS-K. Fuller was injured during the play.

Anger punts 47 yards, fair caught at the WAS 41.

Howell passes short right to Dotson for 22 yards to the DAL 37.

Howell passes short right to Thomas for 26 yards to the DAL 11. PENALTY on WAS-C.Paul, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 37.

Patterson runs up the middle for a gain of one, then Howell hits Dotson for 20 yards to the DAL 21. DAL-J.Kearse was injured during the play.

Patterson runs off right guard to the DAL 15 for six yards, then Patterson runs for six more for a first down.

TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Howell runs up the middle for nine yards and a touchdown. The Slye extra point is good for a 20-6 Commanders lead with 1:49 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 59 yards in six plays and took 3:45 off the clock.

The kickoff goes to the end zone, and Turpin returns it 29 yards to the DAL 28.

Prescott misses Brown incomplete, then Pollard runs left end for no gain. On 3rd and 10, Prescott throws incomplete again to Brown for a fourth down.

The Anger punt goes 39 yards to the WAS 33, fair caught by Milne.

Howell passes deep down the right side to McLaurin for 52 yards to the DAL 15.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER: Commanders 26, Cowboys 6

Patterson runs for four, then Howell throws incomplete to McLaurin across the middle.

FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Slye is good from 29 for a 23-6 Commanders lead with 14:19 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 56 yards in five plays and took 1:25 off the clock.

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Prescott throws incomplete to Elliott, then hits Schultz for nine yards. Prescott sneaks for a first down.

Prescott hits Hilton for eight yards to the DAL 44 on first down, then Elliott rushes for two more and a first down.

Prescott passes short left to Schultz for six yards, then hits Schultz for 18 more. PENALTY on DAL-Ty.Smith, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 48.

On 2nd and 15, Prescott hits Lamb for 13, then Prescott scrambles for one. 

TURNOVER ON DOWNS to COMMANDERS: On 4th and 1, Prescott sneaks for one yard but he's marked short. WAS-K.Hudson was injured during the play.

Williams runs for six yards off right end, then runs up the middle for one for a 3rd and 3 upcoming. On 3rd and 4, Howell passes incomplete to McLaurin.

The Way punt goes 39 yards to the DAL 9, fair caught by Turpin.

Prescott throws incomplete to Schultz on first down, 

then throws incomplete on second down, 

then throws incomplete on third down. 

The Anger punt goes 51 yards to the WAS 40. Milne ran OB at the DAL 45 for a 15-yard return.

Patterson runs for seven on first down. PENALTY on DAL-S.Williams, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 38.

Patterson runs for 11 yards to the DAL 9, then runs again for three to the DAL 6. On 3rd and 4, Patterson runs for two to the DAL 4. 

FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Slye hits from 22 for a 26-6 Commanders lead with 5:19 left. The scoring drive goes 41 yards in six plays and took 3:30 off the clock.

Dallas starts from their 25, and Malik Davis runs for five, then again for one. Cooper Rush in at QB for Dallas, and throws incomplete to Gallup.

The Anger punt goes 58 yards to the WAS 13.

Bonnafon runs right guard for a loss of one. 

Timeout #1 by WAS at 03:14

Bonnafon runs right guard again for four more yards.

Bonnafon runs off right tackle for five to the WAS 21.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Way punts 50 yards to the DAL 29.

Davis runs up the middle for no gain, 

Davis runs off left guard for seven yards.

Davis runs off right guard for five yards.

END OF GAME

***

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Timm Hamm
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