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'Just Go!' DaRon Bland Reveals His Thinking as Dallas Cowboys Beat Washington 45-10: Live Game Log

'Just Go!' DaRon Bland Reveals His Thinking as Dallas Cowboys Beat Washington 45-10: Live Game Log

Timm Hamm

In this story:

The Dallas Cowboys played host to the Washington Commanders in one of the longest-standing NFL traditions around, Thanksgiving Day football. ... and now, relatively speaking, the Cowboys' weekly blowouts are becoming a tradition, too.

Dallas won on Thursday 45-10, a crushing of the Commanders capped by yet another DaRon Bland pick-6, the NFL record-setter as he now has five on the year.

And what was Bland thinking as he was going 63 yards the "right way''? 

'Just Go!' he said simply. ... and now, let's us "just go'' with a chronological look at the day ...

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This year there's added meaning to the Turkey Day matchup, as the Cowboys face division rival Washington for the 11th time in Thanksgiving Day history. Dallas is 8-2 in previous matchups, and the last time the Washington team walked away with a win was at 41-16 rout in 2020 that completed the season sweep of the Cowboys.

This season, the two teams are headed in remarkably different directions.

Dallas has risen back to No. 6 in ESPN's NFL Power Rankings after a 33-10 dismantling of the Carolina Panthers in Week 12. Coach Mike McCarthy has the Cowboys in place for a third straight postseason appearance - something Dallas hasn't accomplished since the mid-90s.

The Commanders fell three spots to No. 23 in ESPN's rankings after a 31-19 loss to the 3-8 New York Giants, who completed a season sweep of Washington. Two of New York's three victories this year have come at the expense of the Commanders.

Washington has lost games to two struggling teams at home to the Giants and Bears, and the coaching seat for Ron Rivera is scolding hot. The question in D.C. is more of "when" than "if" after new owner Josh Harris said he wanted to assess the staff himself after previous owner Daniel Snyder was out of the picture. But it's doubtful he saw the season going this poorly for his new team.

CeeDee Reveals Injury Plan: ‘I’m Straight! I’ll Be Out There!’

Dallas is dealing with some injuries after the Carolina game, with running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) and safety Jayron Kearse (back) missing practice on Monday. Wideout CeeDee Lamb and OL Terence Steele were both limited in practice with ankle issues at different times in the short week, but ...

Both offensive starters practiced in full on Tuesday.

Cowboys vs. Commanders: Could Coach Be Fired with Thanksgiving Loss?

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff... 

The Cowboys won the toss and elected to defer possession until the second half.

FIRST QUARTER: Cowboys 7, Commanders 0

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Robinson runs for eight, then again up the middle for one. On 3rd and 1 from the WAS 34, Howell hits Robinson in the right flat and he runs 19 yards up the right sideline to the DAL 47 for a first down.

Howell is sacked by Johnathan Hankins for a loss of eight yards, then Howell throws incomplete to McLaurin. On 3rd and 18 from the WAS 45, Howell hits Gibson for 11. The punt goes 29 yards to the DAL 15, fair caught by Turpin.

Dak passes short on the right side to Gallup, who runs for 13 and a first down.

Dak throws incomplete to Lamb across the middle, broken up by St-Juste. PENALTY on WAS-B.St. Juste, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 28 - No Play.

On 1st and 10 from the DAL 33, Pollard runs for five off right tackle, then Dak passes incomplete to Lamb deep down the right sideline. Lamb was wide open and Dak overthrew him by at least five yards. On 3rd and 5 from the DAL 38, Prescott passes to Tolbert deep down the middle and overthrows him by five yards. The Anger punt goes 58 yards to the WAS 4, caught by Crowder. Crowder is tackled by Williams for a loss of one at the WAS 3. PENALTY on DAL-S.Williams, Face Mask, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 3.

Robinson runs off left guard for one, then again off left end for six. On 3rd and 3 from the WAS 25, Howell hits McLaurin for eight and a first down.

Howell completes to Samuel for six, then Dotson catches the Howell throw for 10 to the WAS 49 and a first down.

Howell hits Samuel for seven, then passes incomplete to Robinson, who dropped it. On 3rd and 3 from the DAL 44, Howell throws incomplete to McLaurin. Howell was under extreme pressure from Osa  Odighizuwa. The Way punt goes 34 yards to the DAL 10, fair caught by Turpin with 5:53 left in the first quarter.

On 1st down, PENALTY on DAL-Z.Martin, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 10 - No Play.

On 1st and 15 from the DAL 5, Dak throws deep down the middle complete to Ferguson for 35 yards and a first down.

Pollard runs off right end for nine, then loses three off right tackle, hit in the backfield by Payne. On 3rd and 4, Dak throws complete to Lamb for eight to the WAS 46. 

Dak passes incomplete to Cooks as it was thrown too hard and too high, then Dowdle runs for 11 off right end. PENALTY on DAL-C.Lamb, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 46 - No Play.  On 2nd and 20, PENALTY on DAL-C.Lamb, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 44 - No Play. On 2nd and 25 from the DAL 39, Dak hits Tolbert for 19 down the middle. Penalty on WAS-D.Payne, Defensive Offside, declined. On 3rd and 7 from the WAS 43, Pollard catches the screen from Dak in the right flat, and runs for 14 for a first down at the WAS 29.

Dak connects with Pollard in the left flat, and he runs for seven, then Dowdle runs off right end for seven and another first down.

DAL TIMEOUT (#1) at :57

Dak passes incomplete to Lamb.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 2nd and 10 from the WAS 15, Prescott hits Dowdle in the right flat, and he carries it into the end zone for a 7-0 lead over the Commanders with :46 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 90 yards in 11 plays and takes 5:07 off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Robinson runs off left tackle for no gain, then Howell passes incomplete to McLaurin on the right sideline. On 3rd and 10 from the WAS 25, Howell passes deep down the left sideline complete to Samuel for 30 yards to the DAL 45. 

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER: Cowboys 20, Commanders 10

Howell passes short on the right side to Dotson who runs for 12 to the DAL 33 and a first down.

Robinson runs up the middle for 14 and another first down. DAL-M.Bell was injured during the play. 

Robinson runs off right tackle for no gain, then Howell hits Robinson in the right flat, and he's stuffed by Damone Clark for a loss of eight. On 3rd and 18 from the DAL 27, Howell completes to Thomas for two. 

FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS: Slye is good from 43 for a 7-3 Cowboys lead with 11:27 left in the first half. The scoring drive goes 50 yards in nine plays and takes 4:19 off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Dak connects with Pollard for four, then Dak scrambles off left end for 10 and a new set of downs.

Dak hits Schoonmaker on the left side for 12 and another first down at the WAS 49.

Pollard runs off right tackle for two, then Prescott finds Lamb across the middle for 16 to the WAS 31. 

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 1st and 10 from the WAS 31, Dak throws deep to Cooks wide open in the end zone for the score and a 14-3 lead over the Commanders with 8:27 left in the first half. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in six plays and takes 3:00 off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

With his second touchdown toss of the day, Dak Prescott now has 58 multi-touchdown games in his career.

Howell passes incomplete deep down the left side to McLaurin, then Howell hits Thomas for 13 and a first down.

DAL - M. Bell has returned to the game.

Robinson runs up the middle for three, then Gibson carries up the middle for six. On 3rd and 1 from the WAS 47, Howell throws incomplete to Samuel. PENALTY on DAL-D.Wilson, Defensive Pass Interference, 3 yards, enforced at WAS 47 - No Play. WAS-B.Robinson was injured during the play.

Howell passes short on the right side to Samuel for eight, then Gibson runs off right guard for three and another first down.

WAS - B. Robinson has returned to the game. 

Howell passes incomplete deep down the left sideline for Brown. PENALTY on DAL-D.Fowler, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 39 - No Play.

Howell is sacked by Fowler and Parsons for a loss of seven, then Howell hits McLaurin for 12 to the DAL 29 for a first down.

Robinson runs off right tackle for no gain, then Howell misses Samuel deep down the right sideline. On 3rd and 10 from the DAL 29, Howell finds Dotson for 15 and a first down.

-TWO-MINUTE WARNING-

On 3rd and 10 from the DAL 29, Howell passes short left to Dotson for 15 and a first down at the DAL 14. 

Howell hits Samuel for 13.

DAL TIMEOUT (#2) at 1:55

TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: On 1st and Goal from the DAL 1, Sam Howell runs off right tackle for the score and a 14-10 Cowboys lead with 1:51 left in the first half. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 13 plays and takes 6:36 off the clock. 

The kickoff goes into the end zone for at touchback.

PENALTY on WAS-J.Allen, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 25 - No Play.

On 1st and 5, Dak hits Cooks for eight, then Dak throws incomplete for Lamb across the middle. The ball was tipped at the line by Payne. Dak then hits Brooks deep down the right sideline. The ball hit Tolbert and deflected into Brooks' hands for a 24-yard gain to the WAS 38. 

Dak hits Tolbert for 31 to the WAS 7. 

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 1st and Goal from the WAS 7, Pollard runs up the middle for the score and a 20-10 (missed xp) Cowboys lead with :26 left in the first half. The drive goes 75 yards in five plays and takes 1:25 off the clock. 

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Howell passes incomplete to Sameul down the left sideline, then Howell finds Pringle for 11 and a first down.

WAS TIMEOUT (#1) at :13

Howell passes short right to Thomas for three, then Robinson runs off left guard for seven.

END OF HALF

THIRD QUARTER: Cowboys 20, Commanders 10

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

Dak throws right to Pollard for 10 and a first down.

Pollard gets stuffed in the backfield by Payne for a loss of one, then Dak misses Lamb deep down the right sideline. On 3rd and 11 from the DAL 34, Dak dumps it off to Pollard who can get just eight. The Anger punt goes 50 yards to the WAS 8. 

Robinson runs up the middle for 11 and a first down.

Robinson gets three, then Howell scrambles for 12 and a fresh set of downs.

Howell passes short on the right side to Dotson for seven, then Howell hits Samuel for 11 and a first down at the WAS 41. 

Howell completes to Dotson for eight, then Robinson runs for one up the middle. 

WAS TIMEOUT (#1) at 8:25

On 3rd and 1 from the DAL 40, Howell passes incomplete to McLaurin at the goal line, broken up by Gilmore. On 4th and 1 from the DAL 39, Robinson runs up the middle for a loss of two yards, hit first by Odighizuwa. Turnover on downs, first down, Cowboys.

Pollard runs off right tackle for four, then Dak hits Pollard in the left flat, and he's hit behind the line for a loss of five. On 3rd and 11, Dak hits Ferguson across the middle but he can't hang on and it's incomplete. The Anger punt goes 49 yards to the WAS 11, returned by Crowder for nine yards to the WAS 20.

Howell hits Samuel for nine, then Gibson runs up the middle for no gain, tackled by Wilson and Gallimore. On 3rd and 1 from the WAS 29, Howell hits Samuel for five and a first down. 

Howell connects with Gibson on the right side for two. PENALTY on WAS-L.Thomas, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 36 - No Play. Brian Robinson carries up the middle for no gain, hit by Odighizuwa. On 3rd and 13, Howell throws incomplete to Samuel. The Way punt goes  57 yards to the DAL 12, returned by Turpin for five yards to the DAL 17.

Pollard runs off right tackle for a loss of one, then Prescott misses a wide-open Ferguson badly deep down the left sideline. On 3rd and 11 from the DAL 16, Dak connects with Cooks for 25 and a first down at the DAL 41. 

Pollard runs off right end for nine, then Dak throws incomplete to Lamb. On 3rd and 1 from the 50, Dak sneaks up the middle for one. PENALTY on DAL-S.McKeon, Illegal Motion, 5 yards, enforced at 50 - No Play. On 3rd and 6 from the DAL 45, Dak finds Lamb for 14 to the WAS 41. 

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER: Cowboys 45, Commanders 10

Pollard runs for six, then Dak connects with Pollard for just one. On 3rd and 3 from the WAS 34, Dak passes incomplete to Schoonmaker. 

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Aubrey is good from 52 for a 23-10 lead over the Commanders with 13:36 left in the game. The drive goes 49 yards in 10 plays and takes 4:17 off the clock.

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Howell is sacked by Parsons for a loss of seven yards, then Howell throws incomplete to Thomas, almost intercepted by Bell. On 3rd and 17, Howell passes deep to Pringle complete for 16. On 4th and 1 from the WAS 34, Howell is sacked for a loss of 10 by Johnathan Hankins, his second of the game.

Pollard runs off right end for one, then Prescott passes complete short on the left side to Cooks for eight. 

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 3rd and 1 from the WAS 15, Dak completes to Lamb in the end zone for the 31-10 lead (two-point conversion good) over the Commanders with 10:32 left in the game. The drive goes 24 yards in three plays and takes 1:24 off the clock.

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Howell passes to Samuel for 10 and a first down.

Howell hits McLaurin for 24 to the DAL 41.

Howell throws incomplete to Thomas, almost intercepted by Donovan Wilson, then Howell completes to McLaurin for six to the DAL 35. On 3rd and 4 from the DAL 35, Howell hits McLaurin, but he drops it. On 4th and 4, Howell throws incomplete to McLaurin. Turnover on downs, first down, Cowboys.

Lamb carries off right end for no gain, then Pollard runs off right tackle for 27 yards and a first down at the WAS 38. 

This is the Cowboys' sixth consecutive home game where they've scored at least 30 points - the longest streak in team history.

Dowdle runs for two, then again for two more.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 3rd and 6 from the WAS 34, Prescott passes deep down the middle complete to Turpin in the end zone for a 38-10 lead over the Commanders with 5:59 left in the game. The drive goes 65 yards in five plays and takes 2:51 off the clock. 

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Howell passes short to the right for Gibson for three, then Howell throws incomplete to Gibson up the middle. On 3rd and 7 from the WAS 28, Howell passes to Wilson, and it deflects into the hands of Turner for 29. 

Howell throws incomplete deep down the sideline.

INTERCEPTION TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: Howell passes intended for Dotson, INTERCEPTED by Bland, returned 63 yards for the score - and sets a new NFL record for pick-6s in a season with five. It's a 45-10 lead over the Commanders with 4:39 left in the game. 

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Gibson runs off right tackle for three, then again for four. On 3rd and 3 from the WAS 28, Gibson runs off left end for five and a first down.

Rodriguez runs off right tackle for 13. 

-TWO-MINUTE WARNING-

Rodriguez runs for no gain, then runs off right tackle for five. On 3rd and 5 from the DAL 45, Rodriguez carries for just three. 

END OF GAME

Published
Timm Hamm
TIMM HAMM

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