DLLS reporter Joe Hoyt discusses Mike McCarthy’s future with the Dallas Cowboys with Jeff Kolb of FOX 4.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With three seconds remaining, Marcus Mariota fired a five-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, securing the Commanders’ sixth spot in the NFC playoffs and helping Washington defeat the Dallas Cowboys 23-19 on Sunday.
After taking Jayden Daniels’ place, Mariota ran for a touchdown and passed for two more. Since playoff seeding was the only thing at stake, the Commanders (12-5) benched their explosive rookie quarterback at halftime, a decision that ultimately led to an offense that managed just 64 yards before halftime.
As it turned out, Green Bay lost to Chicago on a late field goal, so Washington didn’t need the rally to maintain the sixth spot.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: On January 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, Trey Lance #19 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to pass the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. (Image courtesy of Sam Hodde/Getty Images))
Next weekend, the Commanders will travel to the Los Angeles Rams or Tampa Bay for the wild-card round. In the wild-card round, the Packers will travel to Philadelphia, the No. 2 seed and NFC East champion.
In Week 2 of 2022, while quarterback Trey Lance was still with San Francisco, a year after the 49ers traded up to select him third overall in the draft, Brandon Aubrey kicked four field goals for the Cowboys.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Cowboys led 19–16 thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Rico Dowdle.
In his return to Dallas, where he served as defensive coordinator for the previous three seasons, which also concluded with 12-5 playoff teams, Washington coach Dan Quinn already had his club in the postseason.
The coaches and players Quinn left behind never had a chance to shake the bad vibes in a 2024 season that was problematic from the start, and the final of those came crashing down with a resounding wild-card loss at home to Green Bay.
After three winning seasons and two losing ones, the Cowboys (7-10) now await the destiny of their coach, Mike McCarthy, whose contract is about to expire. The team hasn’t advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs since the mid-1990s.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: On January 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. (Image courtesy of Sam Hodde/Getty Images))
After the half, Daniels was benched at 6 of 12 for 38 yards, while Mariota finished 15 of 18 for 161 yards, including a 33-yard run that capped a 91-yard drive that led to the winning score.
Lance saw his first significant action since the preseason, going 20 of 34 for 244 yards without a score or an interceptions. In the preseason finale, he threw five interceptions.
Last year, after Lance lost the fight for the backup position with the Niners, the Cowboys acquired him for a fourth-round pick. Following Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring injury this season, Cooper Rush started the first eight games.
Double digits again
Despite missing four games due to a high ankle injury, Micah Parsons quickly fulfilled his pledge to reach 10 sacks for the fourth time in his four seasons with Dallas.
On the first play of the game, Parsons dropped Daniels for a 4-yard loss; two plays later, he caught him again for a 9-yarder. In his first four seasons, he is the fourth player to record double-digit sacks. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is home to the other three.
Aubrey s record
At 14, Aubrey held the NFL record for the most kicks from 50 yards in a season, even though none of them were from that far. Chris Boswell of Pittsburgh had a 54-yarder on Saturday to finish at 13, and Kaimi Fairbairn of Houston began and ended the day at 13.
Up next
The Commanders have a winning record in the postseason for the first time since 2015 and are participating in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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