Dak Leads Charge In Cowboys Playoff Victory Over Seahawks 24-22
ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Cowboys are moving on in the playoffs after a win over the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium 24-22.
It's the team's first playoff win since 2015, and it's been a long few years for Dallas fans.
The Cowboys were led by their stingy defense that made crucial stops against Seattle and an offense that scored when it needed to.
Dallas' three touchdowns came from a pass by Dak Prescott to rookie Michael Gallup and one-yard runs by Ezekiel Elliott and Prescott. The offense's biggest mistake would be an interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter, which the team was able to get past.
The Dallas defense came through and made stop after stop in order to help the offense out by allowing only one Seahawks touchdown.
Despite leading the NFL with 160 rushing yards a game, the Seahawks were held to just 73 rushing yards.
Elliott had a big game on the Cowboys offensive side with 26 carries for 137 yards and the touchdown. Wide receiver Amari Cooper led the team with seven receptions for 106 yards.
Seattle took the lead in the third quarter after a Russell Wilson rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion to make it 14-10. However, the Cowboys answered right back with an Elliott touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Prescott also looked to finish the fight by running the ball in himself to make the score 24-14 with just over two minutes left in the game. He finished the game with 226 yards passing and two total touchdowns.
"He showed that he won this playoff game. He took it on his shoulders. He made plays that put us in position to come out like we did. That's what you want from your quarterback," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after the game. "Their quarterback [Russell Wilson] lived up to his skill level of what he is. He really gave us all we could handle."
The Seahawks scored a late touchdown with 1:18 left to bring the score closer, but the Cowboys were able to hang on for the win.
This is the team's third playoff win in nearly ten years, but fans and players feel differently about this year. After starting the second half of the regular season with a 3-5 record, the Cowboys rallied to end the season at 10-6 and as the NFC East champions.
Jones praised head coach Jason Garrett on leading the team to this playoff win.
"This win against a very credible Seattle team will make people think more highly of Jason. Look around at all the teams searching for red October and trying to find themselves a coach right now. We've got one that has a lot of experience on our dime over the last several years. I'd like to use it," said Jones.
Although Dallas is celebrating the win, they will also be keeping receiver Allen Hurns in their minds after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the first quarter. Players on both sides kneeled in support for him as he was being carted off the field.
The Cowboys will now await the result of Sunday's game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles to find out their next opponent in the divisional round of the playoffs. They will play either the Los Angeles Rams or the New Orleans Saints.
The Cowboys owner certainly feels good about playing on the road no matter who the opponent will be next week.
"I think we're physical. Our defense is physical. I think our offense is physical. We've had road experience. We've had some tough hands on the road this year... We've had some really good experiences as to how to be better on the road. I think our adversity on the road, which most of the time in football it does, can help us on the road," said Jones.