The Dallas Cowboys found themselves in a knock-down, drag-out dogfight in the northeast on Sunday, but somehow survived. A 35-yard pass from the arm of Dak Prescott landed in the wide-open arms of CeeDee Lamb for an overtime score and a 35-29 victory.
Entering the game on a four-game winning streak, things got off on the wrong foot. A failed fourth-down conversion in their own territory led to a quick New England score and then red-zone issues flummoxed their offense two times later in the half. Thanks to gelling defensive effort, Dallas was able to escape two quick New England scores to only trail 14-10 at the half.
Things opened up in the second half, with Dallas taking the lead, losing it, regaining it on yet another Trevon Diggs Pick-6 interception, then giving it back on the next play. Diggs was in coverage when Kendrick Bourne pulled a double-move that safety Damontae Kazee badly misplayed, giving up an immediate 75-yard response to give New England a three-point lead.
Big conversions led to a late tying field goal and overtime, and when the defense came through with a stop, Dak Prescott did what franchise quarterbacks do. He led Dallas on an 80-yard drive, the final 35 on a beautiful pass to a wide-open CeeDee Lamb for the winning score. Dallas somehow escaped the Patriots’ lair in Foxboro with a 35-29 victory.
Dak Prescott & CeeDee Lamb’s 35-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Patriots in Foxboro…#DALvsNE | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/So41NYvNGb
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 17, 2021
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The win moved Dallas to 5-1 on the season, a full three games clear of their NFC East rivals as they get a week off to try and get healthy and ready for the stretch run. Dallas hadn’t won five in a row since 2016.
The final score gave Lamb two on the day as Prescott continued to evade a brilliant gameplan by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Rookie QB Mac Jones was accurate in his passes and tested the Cowboys’ defense down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough, despite the help he was receiving by Dallas shooting themselves in the foot and what felt like numerous erroneous and missed calls by the referees.
There were once again multiple clock and game-management decisions by head coach Mike McCarthy in the game, but once again he had his troops ready to overcome all obstacles.
Leading Passer: Dak Prescott 36 for 51, 445 yards, 3 TDs 1 INT, 108.7 rating
Leading Rusher: Ezekiel Elliott, 17 rushes, 69 yards, 7 receptions, 50 yards
Leading Receiver: CeeDee Lamb 9 receptions, 149 yards, 2 TDs
Leading Defender: Trevon Diggs, 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD
Next Week: BYE, next game Week 8 @ Minnesota Vikings