Cowboys Survive Another Late Lead Collapse to Defeat Colts
Javonte Williams scored with under a minute remaining, capping a 29-second drive that rescued Dallas from a familiar fourth-quarter stumble.
By Amina Yusuf ·
The Dallas Cowboys have now blown a late fourth-quarter lead in two consecutive games, a pattern that threatened to cost them another win against the Indianapolis Colts. Instead, a frantic final sequence saved them. With 1:08 remaining, Javonte Williams crossed the goal line on a one-yard carry to give Dallas a 27-23 victory on Sunday in Indianapolis.
The winning drive took only 29 seconds. Dak Prescott led a four-play, 65-yard march that was aided by two penalties from the Colts. The final play saw Williams punch it in after the defense appeared to allow him to reach the end zone, leaving the Cowboys with time on the clock and two timeouts remaining.
The Colts had a chance to win after Spencer Shrader kicked a 50-yard field goal to take a 23-20 lead with 1:37 left. However, Daniel Jones, who had driven Indianapolis into field-goal range on the previous two possessions, threw an interception to Caleb Downs with 35 seconds remaining. That pick sealed the Colts' fifth straight loss.
Prescott finished 21 of 34 for 335 yards and two touchdowns, though he lost a fumble that set up Indianapolis's first score. Williams carried 20 times for 101 yards after Tyler Goodson left the game in the first half with a knee injury. CeeDee Lamb caught 10 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, but he also fumbled the ball away on a catch near the Colts' 15-yard line.
Dallas outgained Indianapolis 508 yards to 271, but the Cowboys committed 14 penalties totaling 153 yards. Among the penalties was an unsportsmanlike conduct call on DeMarvion Overshown, who ran onto the field to celebrate a takeaway while inactive. The Colts had been booed at halftime when they trailed 17-7, but they rallied late in the third quarter when Ashton Dulin caught a short pass and sprinted 55 yards for a score to cut the deficit to 20-17.
Jones finished 20 of 34 for 180 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries and lost a fumble in what may be his final game with Indianapolis. Both Taylor and Jones have been linked to trade speculation ahead of the league deadline on Tuesday. The Colts also lost linebacker Jaylon Carlies to a neck injury and right tackle Jalen Travis to a knee injury, both in the first half.
For the Cowboys, tight end Jake Ferguson did not return after hurting his left knee in the third quarter. Three starters, including receiver George Pickens, were inactive. Pickens has also been the subject of trade rumors. In a family story, Caleb Downs intercepted his older brother Josh Downs, marking their first matchup since their high school days in Georgia. Fifteen members of the Downs family attended the game to watch the exchange.
The Cowboys begin a three-game homestand next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts will host the Miami Dolphins the following week.
