Dallas Cowboys hit several milestones in Week 18 vs Washington Commanders
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday in Week 18 to clinch the NFC East, taking the title back from the Philadelphia Eagles after one season. By winning the division, the Cowboys earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the San Francisco 49ers. They’ll get to play the first round of the playoffs in the comfort of AT&T Stadium in front of the home crowd.
On top of the win and the division title, the Cowboys also hit several other key milestones on Sunday. Despite a relatively underwhelming season for Tony Pollard, the starting running back reached 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season. He joins just five other Cowboys running backs in hitting 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons: Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith, DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott.
With four touchdown passes on Sunday, including two to CeeDee Lamb and one to Brandin Cooks, Dak Prescott took the lead in the league for touchdowns this season with 36, plus two rushing touchdowns. His day ended 31-for-36 for
Prescott isn’t the only league leader on the team this season. Daron Bland secured his spot at the top of the list for interceptions with his ninth on Sunday against Sam Howell, though he already set the new league record for pick-sixes this season with five. Bland is now tied with Trevon Diggs with 14 interceptions through the first two seasons of their careers.
With a multi-score lead on the Commanders, the new NFC East champs were able to substitute several starters for second-stringers in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys now move on to the first round of the NFL playoffs. Mike McCarthy will host his former squad, the 9-8 Green Bay Packers, at AT&T.
Cowboys star Micah Parsons sets new career-high
Edge rusher Micah Parsons set a new career-high for sacks on Sunday in the team’s final regular season game against the Washington Commanders. On a third down play, Parsons sacked Sam Howell, notching No. 14 on the season. He was previously stuck on 13 sacks, which he reached in each of the last two seasons.
After the sack, the Cowboys special teams unit came up with a blocked punt and took over the ball at the Washington nine-yard line. Dallas capitalized on the back-to-back wins with a touchdown to veteran wideout Brandin Cooks to make it 35-10.
Before he recorded his 14th sack of the year, Parsons was clearly having a frustrating afternoon. He pled his case to the referees and even got into a scuffle with a Commanders offensive lineman before finally breaking through.
The former first-round pick told reporters this week that he was desperate to set a new career-high in sacks, even joking that he’d jump offsides to do it.
“I know, I know,” Parsons told reporters on Wednesday. “I literally just had this conversation with the guys today. At this point, it’s any means necessary. I might jump offsides twice this week. Something has to change. Something. It’s coming. It’s coming for sure.”
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey was also trying to hit a new milestone by making two more field goals but his 36th attempt was blocked. He then missed his 37th attempt from 36 yards out before making No. 38 from 50 yards out. The record for consecutive perfect kicks to start a season is 37. He already holds the record for consecutive makes to start an NFL career.