Cowboys win 27-23 over Colts but lead NFL with 667 penalty yards
Dallas secures a narrow victory against Indianapolis despite 153 yards in penalties and a fumble by CeeDee Lamb that nearly cost them the game.
By Alessia Romano ·
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 on Monday night, but the victory was marred by 153 yards in penalties, a record high for the team this season.
The total brings the Cowboys' season penalty yardage to 667, the most in the National Football League. These miscues often erase field position and momentum, creating obstacles for a team that struggles to maintain leads.
A particularly disruptive moment occurred when inactive linebacker DeMarvion Overshown ran onto the field to celebrate a fumble recovery. Officials called him for unsportsmanlike conduct, a decision that cost Dallas valuable yardage while they tried to protect a fourth-quarter advantage. Overshown has missed six of the team's first nine games due to a hamstring injury and a recent back issue.
Receiver CeeDee Lamb played a pivotal role in both the offense's success and its errors. He finished with 195 yards on 10 catches, the second-most receiving yards of his career. However, he was flagged for offensive pass interference twice, both times wiping out first-down catches. He also fumbled the ball loosely during a tackle, a turnover that forced the offense to regroup.
Quarterback Dak Prescott engineered the winning drive in the final two minutes of the game. With the Colts leading 23-20 and 1:53 remaining, Prescott completed a 46-yard pass to Ryan Flournoy. That play set up Javonte Williams for a go-ahead touchdown run. This marked the 28th game-winning drive of Prescott's career.
The Cowboys' defense, often criticized for its inconsistency, provided its best performance of the season. Rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs sealed the victory with his first career interception. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams also had a strong game, recording seven tackles and three tackles for loss. Williams now leads the league with 14 tackles for loss.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey's reliability has shown cracks this season. He missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 3:30 remaining when the score was tied at 20. The miss followed a low snap that bounced before the holder could place the ball. Aubrey's field goal percentage has dropped to a career low of 77%.
The Cowboys face the San Francisco 49ers at home on Sunday. The 49ers lead the NFC West with a 7-1 record. Dallas will look to stack wins in its final two home games, though it must first navigate a tough matchup against a potent offense.
Lamb also set a historical mark during the game. He passed DeAndre Hopkins for the most catches before turning 28 in NFL history. Lamb is currently 27 and turns 28 in April.
