Brett's Cowboys Corner

With 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter Rico Dowdle punches the ball into the endzone and the Cowboys take the lead over the Commanders, 19-16. This was the last score for the Cowboys 2024 season.

This would set up nicely for a game winning drive for Washington, but it wouldn’t be a Cowboys game without a late game quick exchange of possessions. The defense sacks Mariota, yes Marcus Mariota, twice forces a three and out, just to punt it right back to Washington almost immediately.

With 3 minutes left in the game, I felt that the first 57 minutes did a great job telling the story of the past 17 weeks of Cowboys football.

The game starts with Micah Parsons ripping two sacks on Jayden Daniels and getting to that double-digit sack season benchmark. The defensive line played well, and the secondary kept getting gashed.

Trey Lance led the offense, as the third QB to take snaps this season, it looked similar to his teammates. Poor protection led to him running around for his life. Two penalties on Tyler Guyton led to his benching, bringing in Asim Richards.

The Cowboys had 6 trips to the redzone and only converted once for a touchdown. Though they relied heavily on Brandon Aubrey to get them out of trouble. Aubrey set the Cowboys single-season break with 37 field goals, breaking his own record last season.

Blown opportunities all around, and all that was missing was the defense getting completely steam rolled. Well luckily there is three minutes left.

Marcus Mariota replaces Jayden Daniels at half-time and since coming in, Mariota has jump started the Commander offense. As they work down the field, they see big plays from Pro Bowl WR Terry McLaurin, who had 8 catches, 62 yards and a TD.

At midfield, with 30 seconds left, the Commanders find themselves in 4th and 1. One stop and the Cowboys win the game.

A handoff inside to Austin Ekeler, Micah Parsons is on it and blows it up in the backfield.

Oh but it’s an option, Mariota keeps it and unfortunately rookie Marist Liufau takes a bad angle and Mariota slips by.

And Malik Hooker makes the tackle 33 yards downfield…but first celebrates the stop.

Two plays later, the Commanders throw a fade route to Terry McLaurin over DaRon Bland and win the game, 23-19.

The Cowboys finish the year 7-10, with their second losing season under Coach McCarthy. They will pick 12th in the 2025 NFL Draft.

What’s Next?

As Dallas wraps up the season, today they will begin their exit interviews with the players. Though a disappointing season, it can be easy for those who are 100% coming back. But there are plenty of futures that are uncertain.

The team will have to make decisions on guys like, Rico Dowdle, Osa Odighizuwa, KaVontae Turpin, Eric Kendricks, Brock Hoffman, Chauncey Gholston, Brandin Cooks, and Trey Lance.

But first the ultimate decision…

On Wednesday the 8th, the coaching contracts for Mike McCarthy and his staff expire. The Cowboys will have to make a decision, either resigning McCarthy or begin the search for the 10th head coach in Cowboy’s history.