(Arlington) DaRon Bland set an NFL record with his fifth interception returned for a touchdown this season, Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, and the Dallas Cowboys topped the Washington Commanders 45-10 on Thursday.
“I didn’t see Bland intercept the pass right away,” Prescott said. I just heard the crowd erupt. I looked up and saw he had the ball in his hands. At that point, I started running to the sidelines to get a good look. »
The Cowboys extended their longest home winning streak in 42 years to 13. The team had won eight in a row from 1979-81.
The Cowboys led by less than two touchdowns to start the fourth quarter for the first time in five home games this season. The team finally tied a 55-year-old organization record with its seventh victory by 20 points or more this season.
The team’s defense gave up more than 200 yards for the first time in three games, but solidified in important moments of the second half, holding the Commanders three times on fourth down.
Sam Howell threw for 300 yards and had a rushing touchdown. The Commanders lost for the eighth time in 10 games, having started the campaign 2-0.
The score was only 14-10 when Howell scored his 1-yard rushing touchdown with 1:51 left in the first half. The Commanders, however, allowed the Cowboys to advance 75 yards in five plays, on their next offensive sequence, before halftime, to score a touchdown and add six points.
The score was still 20-10 after the third quarter, before the Cowboys exploded on offense and scored 25 points in the fourth quarter.
“We were in the game and we were fighting,” Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said. Basically, we lost control of the game in the fourth quarter. »
Prescott had 331 passing yards, his fifth straight game with at least two touchdown passes. Rico Dowdle, Brandin Cooks and KaVontae Turpin caught touchdown passes.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a conversion in a second straight game. The miss in the 33-10 victory against the Carolina Panthers ended a streak of 49 successful conversions and field goals, Aubrey missed his first ever kick for a point conversion, against the New York Giants in the opening match.
Four days earlier, the Commanders committed six turnovers in a 31-19 loss to the Giants.
“At the end of the day in the NFL, you have to do your job,” Commanders veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Allen said. We don’t do the job as players, and neither do the coaches. I don’t think anyone is doing their job right now. »