Photo from Google Images
The Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys have one of the richest rivalries in sports, literally. They are the two wealthiest franchises in the NFL. Since 1961 they have played each other twice in the regular season, creating what ESPN calls the best rivalry in the NFL. The tradition is fueled by hate for each other and decorated with a combined 28 division titles, 13 Super Bowl appearances and eight Super Bowl rings.
It’s a fair statement to say that overall, both teams have not played up to their storied franchises past. In the last seven seasons they can only brag about 3 divisional titles and the rest of the NFC East reminds them of five 3rd place finishes and five 4th place finishes. However, when these two teams face-off on Monday Night Football, its not a surprise that this past Monday nights game was the highest rated MNF game since 2009 according to ESPN.
Tony Romo has lead the Cowboys to six straight victories this season (puke) while the Redskins entered Monday night’s game with their third string QB and a 2-5 record to hold down 4th place in the NFC East. (The Redskins last divisional win was in December 2012 against the Cowboys.) All of the experts picked Dallas as the favorite to win in Arlington, Texas.
But, if you saw Colt McCoy’s press conference after the Tennessee game and you have a soul, how could you not root for McCoy and the Redskins?!?
A glossy eyed McCoy said the league is very unforgiving. “I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to still be able to play. … I’m just thankful that I’m here.” A kid who was once a college QB celebrity in Texas had bounced from three NFL teams in four seasons in his professional career. McCoy was humble as he struggled to hold in his emotions. It was a real moment in sports. McCoy got the start from Coach Gruden and finished 25 of 30 passes for 299 yards and ran for a seven-yard touchdown against the team he grew up rooting for.
Romo has a tradition of choking in December, but the holidays came early as he went back into the game after breaking a fingernail. (Actually, he took a knee to the back that looked pretty painful, but due to his history of acting out dramatic injuries I can’t take any of his “injuries” serious.) With the score tied 17-17 Romo has the ball, it was 3rd and one and 38 seconds left on Dallas’s 32 yard-line. Romo’s pass was incomplete sending the game to overtime.
Washington’s Kai Forbath drills a 40-yard field goal to give the Redskins a 20-17 lead and Dallas had the chance to kick for a tie or go for six and the win. With Romo still in the pocket on 4th and three on Dallas’s 27, Romo’s pass once again was incomplete. The weather forecast in Dallas Monday night; HAIL!
NFL writer Chris Wesseling, who wrote, “McCoy extended his career by a couple of years and a few million dollars with an impressive performance on national television.”
McCoy may not be the answer to the QB controversy in Washington, but then again, when has there not been a QB controversy in Washington? McCoy may not even get the start this Sunday at Minnesota, but McCoy got the Redskins to two back-to-back wins and we the fans believe that the third time’s the charm. #HTTR