Colt McCoy Returns to Texas, Beats Cowboys
The Washington Redskins were 9.5 point underdogs in last nights MNF match-up against hated rival Dallas. That didn’t stop the Redskins from earning their first Monday night win against Dallas since the “Monday Night Miracle” in 2005.
No one in the media picked the Redskins to win, matter of fact, I would be willing to bet no one outside of Redskins Nation thought the team could beat Dallas last night. The conversation was actually one filled with jokes and disrespect ALL week long by football ‘experts’ all over CBS, FOX, ESPN and everyone else around the blogosphere.
The Redskins used good special teams, great defense and did just enough on offense to get the win. It wasn’t easy or perfect, but wins in this rivalry never are.
Colt McCoy, the most successful quarterback in Texas football history, returned to his home state on Monday and was able to get yet another win in Jerry World.
Several times during the night it was obvious that McCoy doesn’t posses a ‘big-time’ arm capable of throwing the 60-70 yard bombs to DeSean Jackson. Matter of fact most of the balls McCoy threw where highly under-thrown. You could see the frustration all over the field as McCoy worked to break the rust off of his game that 2 seasons on the bench caused.
In the end McCoy was 25-30 for 299 yards, no TD’s passing, one TD rushing and an interception.
Cowboy fans got a major scare in this one after Keenan Robinson sacked Tony Romo, knocking the QB to the ground hard and out of the game, temporarily.
Brandon Weeden took over for Romo and proceeded to get the Cowboys 10 much needed points, that in the long run, were the difference in forcing overtime.
Romo would return at the end of the game and tried to lead his team to the win in overtime. After the game Romo admitted to taking a shot in his back while in the locker-room.
DeMarco Murray extended his NFL record by rushing for 100 yards in the 8th consecutive game to start the season. Murray broke a thousand yards on the season Monday night.
Alfred Morris rushed 18 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was Morris’ 7th against the Cowboys, the most among active players in the league versus Dallas. Alfred struggled at times but was the key several times in extending drives against the Cowboys late in the fourth quarter.
McCoy led the Redskins down the field in overtime and set place kicker Kai Forbath up for what essentially was the game-winning 40 yard field-goal. The defense stepped up yet again after that holding the Cowboys to no points on the final drive and giving Washington it’s second overtime victory in their history on MNF.
Rookie corner Bashaud Breeland had the game of his short career as he locked down Dez Bryant most of the night and held the Pro-Bowl receiver to just 3 catches and 30 yards on the night.
The Redskins record now sits at 3-5 with a very winnable game coming next week at Minnesota, then the bye, and the Bucs coming up after the bye week. The Redskins find themselves in a position to start to turn things around if they can wheel off a few wins in a row.
Starting quarterback Robert Griffin III will be back from injury soon to help things as Redskins head coach Jay Gruden eluded to after the game. “Robert’s our starter,” coach Gruden said. “I haven’t wavered off of that in my mind. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready to go.”
