If this is Colt McCoy’s only start for Washington, it sure was memorable.
The small-town West Texas kid calmly led another winning drive at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, this time for the Washington five years after the former Texas Longhorn star beat Nebraska on a march to a last-play field goal in the Big 12 championship game.
McCoy directed the visitors to Kai Forbath’s 40-yard field goal in overtime and Dallas were unable to answer after Tony Romo came back from an injury to his surgically repaired back, sending Washington to a 20-17 victory on Monday night that snapped the Cowboys’ six-game winning streak.
Two weeks ago, the last thing McCoy’s family and friends expected was him making his first NFL start in nearly three years in his home state. But then McCoy replaced an ineffective Kirk Cousins at half-time and led a comeback win over Tennessee in Week 7, and Robert Griffin III still wasn’t ready to return from a dislocated left ankle.
“I had to tell a lot of people, ‘No’,” McCoy said of the influx of ticket requests. “I didn’t make any money this game with all the tickets I bought.”
It was quite likely a limited engagement. If Washington (3-5) decide Griffin has recovered enough from an injury that has sidelined him since Week 2, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year and former Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor will start against Minnesota on Sunday. They have their bye the following week.
“Robert’s our starter,” coach Jay Gruden said. “I haven’t wavered off of that in my mind. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready to go.”
It was McCoy’s first appearance at the home of the Cowboys since his Texas-record 45th victory for the Big 12 title against Nebraska – 13-12 on a last-play field goal. And he won after beginning the night with a career NFL record of 6-15.
“Last-second wins, right?” McCoy said, laughing. “But I grew up as the game went on. I felt more and more comfortable and I started seeing the defence right. We made some plays down the stretch that good teams have to make to win games.”
The Cowboys (6-2) had one last chance after Forbath’s kick, but didn’t get a first down. Romo’s final pass on fourth down was knocked away by rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland.
“Well, it’s terribly disappointing,” owner Jerry Jones said. “Jay Gruden and his staff, their organisation, they came in here and took it to us and they won the game. We couldn’t get it done.”
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