Dallas Cowboys Fall Further Behind Washington Redskins In NFC East Amid Wide Receiver Trade Rumors

The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) blew their chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East Sunday afternoon. The team came up short on the road against the Washington Redskins (4-2), losing 20-17 and falling 1.5 games behind the division leaders.

Dallas nearly overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to send the contest into overtime, needing a field goal in the final seconds to tie Washington. Consecutive penalties turned a 42-yarder into a 52-yarder that went off the left upright.

The Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) are tied with Dallas for second place after blowing a 17-0, fourth-quarter lead against the Carolina Panthers (4-2). The New York Giants (1-5) will remain in last place no matter what happens in their game against the Atlanta Falcons (2-4) on “Monday Night Football.”

Once again, it was Dallas’ offense that failed the team in defeat. The Cowboys haven’t given up more than 23 points in any of their four losses, and opposing teams are scoring an average of fewer than 20 points per game when they beat Dallas. Dak Prescott threw for a season-high 273 yards against Washington, though Ezekiel Elliott was limited to just 33 rushing yards.

With so few weapons in the passing game, the Cowboys are reportedly looking elsewhere to give Prescott more help. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dallas has been doing research on Oakland Raiders’ wide receiver Amari Cooper and considering the idea of making an offer for the two-time Pro Bowler. The Raiders (1-5) have reportedly had discussions about dealing Cooper for a first-round pick before the Oct. 30 trade deadline.

Cole Beasley is Dallas’ leading receiver with 33 receptions for 350 yards, putting him 45th in the NFL. Tight end Geoff Swaim is second with 205 receiving yards. Michael Gallop is third on the team after leading the Cowboys with 81 receiving yards Sunday.

The Cowboys are one of seven teams that aren’t averaging more than 20 points per game. They’ve totaled 66 points in their last two home games. Dallas will host the Tennessee Titans (3-4) in Week 9 after a Week 8 bye.

The Week 7 loss drops Dallas to 1-1 in the division. They’ll visit Philadelphia in Week 10 in a pivotal NFC East matchup. After going to Atlanta in Week 11, the Cowboys return home to host the Redskins in what could be a virtual “must-win” game if Dallas wants a chance to win the division.