Dak Prescott and Ryan Flournoy gave Dallas exactly the jolt it needed when the game was slipping away.
With the Cowboys trailing Indianapolis 23-20 and just 1:37 left, Prescott went downfield on the first snap of the final touchdown drive and found Flournoy for 46 yards. That single throw flipped the field and set up the go-ahead score in Dallas’ 27-23 win.
It had already been a messy afternoon for the Cowboys, even with the scoreboard in their favor for long stretches. Dallas led 17-7 at halftime and later pushed the margin to 20-10, but penalties and turnovers kept the Colts hanging around. The Cowboys piled up 14 penalties for 153 yards and lost two fumbles, wasting a clear edge in moving the ball.
One of those defensive swings came from Quinnen Williams, who forced Jonathan Taylor to fumble in Dallas territory before Shemar James recovered it. But the offense couldn’t turn that into points. Indianapolis eventually tied the game, Brandon Aubrey missed a field goal that could have mattered, and then Spencer Shrader drilled a 50-yard kick with under two minutes left to put the Colts in front.
That left Prescott with no margin for error. He needed a quick strike, and Flournoy delivered in traffic.
Sauce Gardner stayed with Flournoy downfield, but he never got his head around to the ball. He tried to break up the pass by going through the receiver’s hands and even grabbed one arm. Flournoy held his focus, secured the ball with his other hand against his body, and came down with the biggest catch of the day at the biggest possible moment.
The play did more than just add yards. It instantly changed the shape of the drive. Dallas had started needing a quick push just to have a chance, and one snap later it was in position to chase a touchdown and force Indianapolis to answer.
The Cowboys finished the job from there, helped along by Colts penalties, and Javonte Williams punched in a one-yard touchdown with 1:08 remaining. In 29 seconds, Dallas turned a three-point deficit into a four-point lead.
There’s still plenty for Dallas to clean up. The win doesn’t erase the penalties, the turnovers, or the self-inflicted trouble. But when the Cowboys needed a late answer to avoid another crushing finish, Prescott and Flournoy provided it.
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Cowboys Face One Deadline Question Fans Know Too Well
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Dallas could also look beyond the pass rush if injuries create more need at cornerback, safety or linebacker, but the front offices attention appears to be on finding the right fit without overpaying. One thing the Cowboys do not appear interested in doing is moving wide receiver Jalen Pickens, despite the speculation that tends to follow any deadline conversation. For now, the familiar question remains whether Dallas will actually act before the clock runs out. [Read more 🡒]