ARLINGTON — It turns out stellar defense and a strong running game can still get it done on the gridiron.
The
Dallas Cowboys proved that once again Saturday night after beating the
Seattle Seahawks 24-22 at AT&T Stadium in an NFC wild-card playoff
battle. Unlike the 2006 postseason meeting up north, it never came down
to a last-second field goal, but rather a key third down and an onside
kick.
On
the biggest play of the game, Dak Prescott faced a third-and-14 from
Seattle’s 17-yard line and made a determined run up the gut on a
quarterback draw to move the chains before being upended at the 1. The
scamper all but sealed the victory, and one play later, Prescott plunged
across the goal line to help increase the Cowboys’ lead to two scores
at 24-14.
Russell
Wilson directed a quick touchdown drive the other way and converted a
2-point try to pull Seattle within striking distance at 24-22, but
former Longhorn Michael Dickson’s dropkick onside attempt was easily
handled by Cole Beasley to seal Dallas’ first postseason win since a
2014 wild card triumph against the Lions.
All
of the late drama unfolded as Seattle’s veteran kicker, Sebastian
Janikowski, watched from the sidelines with a pulled hamstring that he
suffered just before halftime.
The
Cowboys and Seahawks entered the game as mirror images of each other,
but Dallas proved that its ground-and-pound philosophy was the superior
version. Ezekiel Elliott outgained Seattle’s running back committee of
Chris Carson, Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny 137 yards to 59 and also ran
in a score early in the fourth quarter to give his team a 17-14
advantage.
The
Cowboys’ defense was dominant, as it forced six three-and-outs in the
contest and limited the Seahawks’ explosive plays. Other than a 28-yard
run by Penny in the second quarter and a few pinpoint passes by Wilson
to Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, Seattle’s offense was completely held
in check.
Rookie
linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and counterpart Jaylon Smith patrolled
the field and combined for 17 total tackles. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie
stayed glued to Seattle’s wideouts and in yet another outstanding game,
while the defensive line had its way with the Seahawks’ front five.
And
then there’s Prescott. The oft-criticized quarterback was 22-of-33
passing for 226 yards, one TD and one interception, although the pick
came on what likely should have been a pass interference call in the red
zone.
It
was only fitting that Prescott was able to punch it in when it mattered
most to cap his first career playoff win. The clutch performance came
on the heels of a confidence-building fourth quarter win over the Giants
in a game that appeared meaningless at the time.
Dallas
fans now hope the Week 17 comeback marked a major turning point for the
third-year pro from Mississippi State, who has helped his team win
eight of its last nine contests. Prescott’s contributions have been
vital, as the Cowboys are a remarkable 10-0 this year when scoring 20 or
more points.
Dallas
will try to advance to its first NFC Championship since 1995 when it
travels to Los Angeles to take on Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald and the Rams
this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT.