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McCoy, Redskins pull out OT win vs. Cowboys

Oct 28, 2014 - 4:51 AM Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Colt McCoy led a game-winning field goal drive in overtime in his first start since 2011 as the Washington Redskins went into AT&T Stadium and stunned the Dallas Cowboys, 20-17, on Monday night.

McCoy, who began the season third on Washington's depth chart behind Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, relieved the turnover-prone Cousins last week and led a come-from-behind victory over Tennessee. With Griffin still recovering from an ankle injury, McCoy was given his first start since Dec. 8, 2011, when he was with the Browns.

McCoy completed 25-of-30 passes for 299 yards and ran for a touchdown, as Washington (3-5) won its second straight with the former University of Texas star under center.

"He led us on some drives. He was very efficient," said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. "Everybody got the ball, which really made this offense click. "

Alfred Morris helped his quarterback with 73 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and DeSean Jackson made six catches for 136 yards. Jackson went over the 100-yard mark for the fourth time in the last six games.

The Redskins won the coin toss and started overtime with a 23-yard pass from McCoy to Pierre Garcon. Later, McCoy found Jordan Reed for five yards near the left sideline to move the sticks. On the very next play from the Dallas 45, McCoy rolled to his left and lofted a pass to a well-covered Reed, who adjusted his body in mid-air and made a miraculous catch on the sideline.

The drive stalled at the 22 after Reed was tackled near the line of scrimmage on 3rd-and-3, and Kai Forbath drilled a 40-yard field goal to make it 20-17.

Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense had a chance to tie the game or win it with a touchdown, but Bashaud Breeland knocked down a fourth down pass intended for Dez Bryant to secure the victory.

"My first thought is 'how great did our defense play!'" McCoy said. "I made a ton of mistakes early in the game. I settled in because our defense created turnovers and kept us in the game. Huge win for us."

Romo, who left the game in the third quarter and spent the majority of the second half in the locker room being evaluated, returned for the final series of regulation and the lone possession in overtime.

Romo finished 17-for-28 for 209 yards and a touchdown, while DeMarco Murray extended an NFL record with his eighth straight game over 100 rushing yards to start the season. Murray gained 141 yards on 19 carries and made four catches for 80 yards but was kept out of the end zone for the second time this season.

Brandon Weeden, another Browns cast-off, took over when Romo went down in the third and led two scoring drives. He threw for 69 yards and a touchdown on 4- of-6 efficiency.

Dallas was forced to punt on the game's opening possession, and Andre Roberts made them pay by returning Chris Jones' 56-yard boot 37 yards to the Dallas 48. McCoy hit Niles Paul for 20 yards, setting up Forbath's 44-yard field goal.

Later in the first, Joseph Randle spelled Murray and carried for 12 yards, but Brandon Meriweather knocked the ball loose at the end of the run. Trent Murphy, making his first career start for the injured Brian Orakpo, pounced on it at the Cowboys 25-yard line.

McCoy got greedy with the short field and went up top to Roberts in double coverage in the back of the end zone. J.J. Wilcox made a leaping interception, giving momentum to the home team.

Washington stole it right back by forcing another Dallas fumble. Murray took a screen pass near midfield four plays into the Cowboys series, made a defender miss along the right sideline and ran all the way to the Redskins 8. Fighting for extra yards, Murray was wrapped up by a trio of defenders, and the ball popped out just before his knee touched down.

Dallas finally found the end zone late in the first half thanks to individual heroics from Romo and Bryant. After moving the sticks with a 20-yard pitch- and-catch with Bryant, Dallas faced 3rd-and-6 from the Redskins 44 when Romo expertly maneuvered the pocket and flipped a pass to Murray underneath for a 24-yard gain. Two plays later Romo threw a quick screen to Bryant, who made a one-handed catch before muscling through two players and stretching the ball over the goal line.

The final drive before halftime stalled when Romo was sacked by Ryan Kerrigan on third down, and the Cowboys led 7-3 at the break.

Washington regained the lead on the opening drive of the second half. Morris punctuated an 8-play, 80-yard march with a 5-yard touchdown run off right tackle. He also picked up 29 yards on a second down run on the second play of the drive.

That's when things took a turn for Dallas. On 3rd-and-11 midway through the third, Keenan Robinson blitzed up the middle and was unblocked on his way to laying a crushing blow on Romo. Romo aggravated his surgically-repaired back and lay on the turf for several minutes before being helped to the locker room.

"He got hit in the back. Looks like he has a back contusion," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said after the game. "The X-rays were negative, which is positive news for us."

Weeden's first snap was a handoff to Murray, who took it 51 yards all the way to the Redskins 6-yard line. Weeden looked for Bryant twice on second and third-and-goal, but both passes were batted away and the Cowboys had to settle for a 21-yard Dan Bailey field goal.

McCoy and Jackson hooked up for a 45-yard pickup late in the third quarter, and Washington found the end zone on the third play of the fourth. On 3rd-and- goal from the 7, McCoy dialed his own number and ran up the middle on a draw, absorbing multiple hits as he dove into the end zone.

Then it was Weeden's turn to lead a touchdown drive. He was a perfect 4-for-4 on the drive, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Jason Witten, who made the grab near the 10 and outran a Washington defender before diving over the right pylon.

The Redskins drove to the edge of Forbath's field goal range late in the fourth, but McCoy was sacked on third down and they were forced to punt.

After prolonged discussions with Jerry Jones and team doctors, Romo convinced the Cowboys brass to let him return to the game for the final drive. He avoided disaster when Murray recovered his fumble inside the Dallas 10-yard line with just over a minute remaining. Washington sent pressure later in the drive and forced a punt.

McCoy took a knee, and regulation ended in a 17-17 tie.

Game Notes

McCoy has completed 36-of-42 passes this season ... The Redskins snapped an eight-game losing skid against NFC East opponents ... This was Romo's 36th straight game with a touchdown pass, matching Brett Favre for fifth-longest streak in NFL history ... Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant left the game with an arm injury ... The two teams have split 16 all-time meetings on "Monday Night Football."