“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Dallas 56, Washington 14 – Week 16, December 26, 2021
The Dallas offense reached the end zone five consecutive possessions on their way to a 56-14 romp of the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
It may have been the worst performance by Washington in a decade. Not only did Dallas move the ball up and down the field in those five consecutive possessions, but they also recorded a defensive touchdown and a special teams touchdown.
The Washington defense yielded four Dak Prescott touchdown passes to four different receivers (Ezekiel Elliott, Dalton Schultz, Terence Steele, Amari Cooper).
DeMarcus Lawrence intercepted a Taylor Heinicke pass, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown and Chauncey Golston recovered a blocked Tress Way punt in the end zone for another score.
Trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Heinicke had passed to Antonio Gibson for an 8-yard touchdown. In the final quarter, trailing 56-7, from the 13 yard-line Heinicke connected with John Bates who was hit at the two-yard line, fumbled and recovered in the end zone for the game’s final score.
Unfortunately for Washington, the most remembered moment of the Sunday Night massacre occurred on the Washington bench. In the second quarter, trailing 28-7, frustration building, the Washington defense was on the bench. Daron Payne voiced something to Jonathan Allen, and Allen replied; Payne then poked Allen in the head, and Allen rose to his feet and struck Payne.