Cowboys so-so on special teams in win over Commanders

ARLINGTON — A blocked extra point. An errant punt from a Pro Bowler. A lack of awareness from perhaps a future one.

The Cowboys could end the season with one of the NFL’s finest special-teams units. Amid some high points, there were some uncharacteristic mistakes Sunday.

The blocked PAT occurred in the second quarter with pressure coming through the right side following a touchdown from wide receiver Michael Gallup. In the fourth, Bryan Anger said that he rushed a punt, resulting in it sailing 22 yards into the Cowboys sideline.

Cowboys rush past the Commanders

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In the first, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin allowed a punt to sail over his head. He stood still and placed his hands on his helmet rather than exit the area to avoid the football making contact with him and becoming live. Fortunately for the Cowboys, the ball never reached Turpin.

There were many positives, too.

Anger bounced back from the poor punt to field a low snap and hit a 39-yarder that pinned the Commanders at their own 11. Kicker Brett Maher continued to impress, converting all four of his field goals with a long of 53. He is 10-of-11 on the year with four makes from 50 or longer.

In kickoff coverage, rookie tight end Peyton Hendershot stuck the returner for a solo tackle at the 18-yard line.

“Honestly, it was great for those guys to get a chance to cover,” Maher said. “That was a mis-hit by me. From my standpoint, I’m very happy that those guys were able to bail me out. That was a big play for them to turn a negative into a positive and put our defense in an even better situation.”

Briefly

Nose tackle Quinton Bohanna suffered a minor sprain to his left shoulder Sunday, and he won’t miss extensive time, a person familiar with the situation said. …In the fourth quarter, after cornerback Trevon Diggs tipped a fourth-down, end-zone pass intended for wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the video board at AT&T Stadium played a short, prerecorded video of Diggs’ son Aaiden floss-dancing in celebration. …The Cowboys lost the pregame coin toss again. They are 0-4 on coin tosses this regular season, resulting in them receiving the opening kickoff each game.

Twitter: @GehlkenNFL

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