Sometimes after a game, you go back and look at some of the numbers and you are surprised by what you see.
But not after the last two games.
Dallas ran 73 offensive plays (WFT 57), while the Eagles ran 70 (WFT 54). The Cowboys gained 6.8 yards a play (WFT 4.5), but if that wasn’t bad enough, the Eagles actually gained 7.4 yards a play (WFT 4.4).
Washington permitted Dallas to convert 10-15 third downs. That means 66.7 percent of third downs, Dallas converted, stayed on the field, keeping the Washington defense on the field and the offense on the sidelines.
Dallas moved the ball well enough, and basically was simply running out the clock in the final quarter, yet managed to still gain nearly 500 yards (497). The Eagles in running four less offensive plays gained more yards (519).
While Washington quarterbacks struggled, completing less than 50% (15-32) against Dallas, the Cowboys protected, got open, and completed passes at will (30-42). What’s more, Washington only averaged a paltry 4.6 yards per pass attempt, while Dallas averaged 8.6 yards per pass attempt.
Against the Eagles pass defense, the numbers are only slightly better, WFT averaging 5.3 yards per attempt; however, the defense permitted 9.7 yards per pass attempt.
When Washington possessed the ball, what happened behind the line of scrimmage? Philadelphia registered two QB sacks, five tackles for loss (TFL) and seven QB Hits. It was even worse against Dallas, as the Cowboys registered five QB sacks, five TFL and 10 QB hits.
No wonder, things spilled over on the Washington sideline, one face was poked and another punched.
It’s been said, “Life won’t wait” and indeed it won’t as time stands still for no man. Washington must quickly learn from the past if they are going to make anything of their two final regular-season games.