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Seibert misses the extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd straight to the Cowboys, 34-26.

Seibert misses the extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd straight to the Cowboys, 34-26.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected for an 86-yard touchdown, Dallas’ Juanier Thomas returned the ensuing outside kick attempt plays for a touchdown, and the Cowboys won 34-26 on Sunday to extend the lead “Commanders” up to three games.

Seibert, who had missed the previous two games with a right hip injury, was to the left of the point on a low snap attempt. Thomas then returned the ball 43 yards as the Cowboys (4-7) improbably ended their losing streak at five.

Part of that was the play of backup Cooper Rush, who threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in place of starter Dak Prescott in his third start. The defense was also part of forcing two turnovers, with Chauncey Golston ripping the ball out of Brian Robinson Jr.’s hands for what was called a Daniels interception in the second quarter and Donovan Wilson stripping John Bates midway through the fourth.

KaVonte Turpin set off fireworks with a spinning 99-yard kickoff return seconds after Daniels found Zach Ertz in the end zone for the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to three with 3:02 left. In the final three minutes alone, the Commanders (7-5) scored 10 points and passed Thomas for a touchdown.

All this after the score was 10-9 through three quarters before the madness began.

Washington’s playoff hopes, which recently looked solid, are now in serious jeopardy after losses to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Dallas. Before the late scoring, much of this loss was due to Daniels and the offense failing to find any rhythm.

The Cowboys did it despite playing without their two best offensive linemen, their top defensive lineman and their starting tight end. Rush’s 6-yard pass to Jalen Tolbert was Dallas’ first touchdown of the third quarter of the season, and his 22-yard pass to Luke Schoonmaker came on Wilson’s forced fumble.

Daniels finished 25 of 38 for 274 yards, including his second interception of the game on a failed Hail Mary as time expired. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards to upset the Cowboys, who were 10 underdogs by 1/2 point at BetMGM Sportsbook.

Injuries

Cowboys: LG Tyler Smith was inactive with ankle and knee injuries. … RG Zack Martin (ankle), CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and TE Jake Ferguson (concussion) were ruled out prior to game day and did not travel to the game.

Commanders: RB Austin Ekeler was injured on a punt return in the final seconds. … Robinson left with an ankle injury in the first half, returned and then left again. … RT Andrew Wiley suffered a concussion in the third quarter and did not return. … Tyler Biadas was assessed for a concussion in the fourth round. … CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) missed third game in a row from the moment of purchase at the New Orleans trade deadline.

Next

Cowboys: Host the New York Giants on Thursday in a traditional Thanksgiving game in Dallas.

Commanders: Host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday in Washington’s final game before the bye week.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl