ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have to fret concerning the NFC East title anymore as soon as they kicked off towards Washington.
So that they took care of the star quarterback’s stoop as a substitute.
Prescott threw 4 landing passes, DeMarcus Lawrence returned an interception for a rating and the Cowboys celebrated their clinching of the division crown with a 56-14 rout of Washington on Sunday evening.
The Cowboys (11-4) tied the franchise report for factors in a primary half whereas taking a 42-7 lead and irritating Washington to the purpose that defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne scuffled on the sideline.
Dallas didn’t have to win so as to add the division title to the playoff berth that was sealed with San Francisco’s loss to Tennessee three nights earlier. Las Vegas’ 17-13 victory over Denver took care of that about an hour earlier than kickoff, giving the Cowboys a tiebreaker over Philadelphia.
Prescott and firm didn’t appear to care, and now the Eagles can’t tie them for the division title after Dallas scored its most factors, playoffs included, since a 59-14 victory over San Francisco in 1980.
“I don’t know if many individuals knew that we’d clinched earlier than the sport. I didn’t,” Prescott stated. “I don’t know if we’re on the planet or within the enterprise of attempting to ship messages greater than we’re simply attempting to get higher.”
Washington (6-9) allowed its most factors since 2010 within the most-lopsided loss for both workforce in a storied rivalry performed 124 instances. Washington’s playoff hopes are faint, however not gone.
“I informed them you play this recreation lengthy sufficient, you’re going to get beat like this,” coach Ron Rivera stated. “The way you reply to it, the way you bounce again, the way you play, that tells extra about you than anything.”
Prescott tied the membership report for passing TDs in a half with 4 earlier than halftime — one every to a operating again (Ezekiel Elliott), a decent finish (Dalton Schultz), a receiver (Amari Cooper) and a backup deal with (Terence Steele, who was lined up as a decent finish when Prescott faked the handoff for a straightforward 1-yard rating ).
Taylor Heinicke, making a second consecutive begin towards Dallas after lacking the sport in between due to COVID-19, gave up Trevon Diggs’ NFL-leading eleventh interception on the primary offensive play for Washington, which was enjoying 5 days after a coronavirus-delayed loss to Philadelphia.
The Dallas offense took it from there, recording 389 yards earlier than halftime as Prescott ended a run of mediocre showings by finishing 22 of his first 25 passes and ending with essentially the most yards in a primary half in his profession with 321. He was 28 of 39 for 330 yards when he left for good within the third quarter.
“I believed he was in complete management,” coach Mike McCarthy stated. “His numbers within the first half mirror that. Had some shot alternatives, was affected person with the checkdowns. I actually like the way in which he performed tonight.”
The Cowboys have been already up 14-0 late within the first quarter when Lawrence, a defensive finish, deflected Heinicke’s cross along with his proper hand, corralled the ball and rumbled down the left sideline 40 yards for a TD.
“Nothing was extra spectacular than D’Legislation’s pick-6,” stated Elliott, who scored as soon as every on a run and a catch. “I used to be impressed with the stiff arm, the excessive knees, making the final man miss on the sideline. I feel he stated he was an all-state tight finish on the sideline. You noticed that as we speak.”
Lawrence was mobbed by different members of his defensive position, simply as Steele was by fellow Dallas blockers on his rating. It was a unique scene for the fellows within the trenches for Washington.
The defensive linemen have been on the Washington bench when Allen and Payne appeared to trade phrases earlier than each acquired up and Allen, a workforce captain, threw a punch at his former Alabama teammate.
