The Cowboys Report
Cowboys rock Redskins but fall short of postseason
Jan 2, 2020, 6:57 am
Tim Warner/Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys (8-8) came away with an easy win on Sunday when they blew out the Washington Redskins (3-13) by the score of 47-16.
Recap
The Cowboys needed to win and have the New York Giants (4-12) beat the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) for them to win the NFC East and make it into the playoffs. Dallas played hard and looked like the team everyone expected them to be all year but sadly, the Giants couldn't beat the Eagles and the Cowboys season came to an end.
Quarterback Dak Prescott had one of his better games of the year. He was 23/33 for 303 yards, 4 touchdowns, and NO turnovers. Dak connected with seven different receivers, second year man Michael Gallup led them with 5 catches for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was Gallup's first multi score game of his career. Also, super star wide out Amari Cooper finally showed up for the first time in a few weeks, he had 4 catches for 92 yards.
With Dak and Company having so much success through the air, Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott also had a big day. He carried the ball 18 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully, this was just a glimpse of what this team can in the years to come.
Improvements to watch for in the Offseason
New Head Coach: First and foremost, they need a new voice in the locker room.I believe this team has quit on Jason Garrett and he is the main reason this extremely talented team under performed. I don't know why he wasn't fired first thing Monday morning but if they stick with him next year will just be more of the same.
Offense: They locked up Zeke with a huge contract this year, now it's time for them to pay both Dak and Cooper as they enter free agency. The QB position is way more important than receiver so believe Dallas will give Dak a market value contract and then probably franchise tag Cooper to make him prove his worth, especially with the play of Michael Gallup towards the end of the year. The resigning of slot receiver Randall Cobb would be great for them as well if they can get him at a reasonable price.
Defense: They all are set with their two core stud linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch but Vander Esch missed most of the year with a neck injury. Hopefully he can recover during the offseason and come back at an elite level. I believe Dallas will look to sign some secondary help and improve the defensive backfield.The top free agents at this moment are Chris Harris (CB), Jimmy Smith (CB), and Logan Ryan (CB).
NFL Playoffs
With that being said there are still 11 NFL Postseason games to be played:
Saturday January 4th:
AFC Wild Card:Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans at 3:35 pm Central Time
AFC Wild Card:Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots at 7:15 pm Central Time
Sunday January 5th:
NFC Wild Card:Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints at 12:05 pm Central time
NFC Wild Card:Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles at 3:40 pm Central time
Saturday January 11th:
NFC Divisional Round Games:Will be at 3:35 pm and 7:15 pm Central time
Sunday January 12th:
AFC Divisional Round Games:Will be at 2:05 pm and 5:40 pm Central time
Sunday January 19th:
AFC Championship:Will be at 2:05 pm Central time
NFC Championship:Will be 5:40 pm Central time
Sunday February 2nd:
Super Bowl LIV (54):Kickoff is at 5:30 pm Central time
Baltimore rookie right-hander Brandon Young lost his bid for the first perfect game in Orioles history with four outs remaining Friday night in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros.
Young retired the first 23 batters he faced, only to have his shot at history end on slow grounder to the third base side by Houston second baseman Ramon Urìas.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Urìas, facing the Orioles for the first time since being traded last month, hit a 56 mph grounder between the mound and third base line. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balanced throw sailed wide of first base. Urías was awarded an infield single.
Young struck out the next batter to end the eighth. His eight innings pitched were a career high, and he matched his career best with six strikeouts
A native of Lumberton, Texas, less than 100 miles northeast of Houston, Young entered the game 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA through the first 10 starts of his big league career.
Yaramil Hiraldo retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Orioles first one-hitter since May 24, 2024.
Astros starter Framber Valdez (11-6) kept the Orioles in check until the fourth when Colby Mayo hit a two-out, solo home run.
Baltimore added to the lead in the fifth after loading the bases. With one-out, Gunnar Henderson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a second run scored on the play when Jésus Sánchez’s throw got past catcher Yainer Diaz.
After Henderson brought home a run in seventh, Dylan Carlson capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 7-0 lead.
Valdez allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Astros’ lead over Seattle in the AL West slipped to a half-game.
Key moment
Urias’ infield single with two outs in the eighth inning to break up Young’s bid for a perfect game.
Key stat
John Means threw the Orioles last no-hitter on May 5, 2021.
Up next
Houston RHP Jason Alexander (3-1, 5.02 ERA) opposes LHP Cade Povich (2-6, 4.95) Saturday.