SPORTS INSIDER – Colt McCoy, Redskins stun Cowboys 20-17 in overtime

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Kai REDSKINS OCT 2014 Ceci Ferrara
October 28, 2014
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

With a strong performance by third-string quarterback Colt McCoy and an overtime field goal by Kai Forbath, the Redskins edged the Cowboys 20-17 to snap Dallas’ six-game win streak and string together their first back-to-back since 2012.  Washington was the underdog entering the game, having won just two games all season versus Dallas’ six.  The Cowboys not only had the best record in the NFC East, but were tied with Denver and Arizona with the best record (6-1) in the league. It seemed laughable that the lowly Redskins could win against the high-flying Cowboys; the entire Monday night pre-game panel chose Dallas to win.

But as one of the commentators noted at the beginning of the game: “Anything can happen on any given Sunday—especially on Monday Night Football.”

The Redskins surprised early, sacking Tony Romo to end the Cowboys’ first possession. In his first start this season, Colt McCoy led his team to a field goal for a quick 3-0 lead. Despite some turnovers from both sides, the Redskins held off the Cowboys until the middle of the second quarter, when Romo led his team on a touchdown drive for a 7-3 lead.

Heading into the second half, it was anyone’s game. The Redskins, led by spectacular runs by Alfred Morris and Roy Helu, scored a touchdown to kick things off and once again regain the lead. The game then took a surprising turn when Romo took a jarring sacked by Kennan Robinson on their next possession. Unlike previous sacks where he quickly got up and brushed himself off, the Cowboys QB laid on the grass for several minutes before walking off the field with training staff. It was unclear if Romo, who had recently undergone back surgery, would return for the game—or the season.

With backup QB Brandon Weeden under center, Dallas tied the game with a field goal on their next drive. But the Redskins continued to surprise, with McCoy running in for a Redskins touchdown to kick off the fourth.  The Cowboys answered with a touchdown of their own, tying it up at 17 apiece. With less than two minutes left, Romo reentered the game hoping to lead his team to victory. Instead, the game headed to overtime.

Starting at their own 20, McCoy led the ‘Skins into field goal range on their first OT possession and Kai Forbath kicked the go-ahead 40-yard field goal. With Washington leading 20-17, the Cowboys got the ball, with the opportunity to win with a touchdown. But even with Romo back in the game, they fell short against a strong Washington defense. An incomplete pass on fourth down ended the game and gave the Redskins their third win of the year.

“Everybody really participated in this win,” said Redskins coach Jay Gruden. “It’s a great team win, a big win on the road. But the fact of the matter is we’re still 3-5 and have a long way to go. And we can’t lose sight of that.”

Despite McCoy’s strong performance, he is still expected to return to the sidelines once Robert Griffin III is ready to play.

“An injury like this just takes time,” Griffin said of his status. “When I’m ready to go, I’ll be back out there. It was a big win we got today against the Cowboys, so things are looking up.”

The Redskins will next face the Minnesota Vikings (3-5) before heading into their bye week. It is still unclear if Griffin will return for that game, or if he will wait until after the break, when they host Tampa Bay on November 16th.

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