Cowboys Recap & Takeaways: Dak, Downs Rescue Dallas in Wild 27-23 Colts Escape

The Dallas Cowboys were 41 seconds away from another devastating defeat.

Then Caleb Downs saved them.

Dak Prescott engineered a late touchdown drive before the rookie Downs intercepted Daniel Jones for the first pick of his career, sealing a 27-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 8, at Lucas Oil Stadium and improving Dallas to 4-5.

The Cowboys blew a double-digit lead, committed costly penalties and lost two fumbles.

And they still won.

Prescott connected with Jonathan Mingo for 23 yards on Dallas' opening possession, setting up Brandon Aubrey's 45-yard field goal.

3-0 Cowboys.

P.J. Locke made an excellent open-field tackle on Jonathan Taylor to force an Indianapolis punt.

But Laiatu Latu strip-sacked Prescott on the ensuing possession, and Caden Curry recovered.

Seth McGowan scored from two yards out.

7-3 Colts.

Dallas responded with a lengthy drive, overcoming multiple penalties to reach the Indianapolis 9 before the quarter expired.

1. Locke delivers - His third-down tackle on Taylor prevented an early conversion. An excellent individual effort.

2. Dak's unfortunate fumble - The strip-sack handed Indianapolis possession deep in Dallas territory. Seven followed.

3. Penalties everywhere - Holding, an ineligible man downfield ... Dallas couldn't stop hurting itself offensively.

Prescott found Jake Ferguson for a 10-yard touchdown on fourth down.

10-7 Cowboys.

Dallas' defense dominated the quarter. DaRon Bland delivered an excellent tackle, Downs sacked Jones for a 10-yard loss, and Shemar James continued making plays.

Unfortunately, the offense couldn't capitalize.

Penalties derailed another promising possession, and Dallas punted three consecutive times.

Then Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for 22 yards before connecting with him again for a 44-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining.

17-7 Cowboys.

Rashan Gary sacked Jones to end the half.

1. Downs is everywhere - The rookie's 10-yard sack highlighted an outstanding defensive performance.

2. Lamb takes over - Two catches, 66 yards and a touchdown in the final minute. Superstar stuff.

3. The defense dominates - Dallas repeatedly forced punts, although Indianapolis' offense looked absolutely dreadful.

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Downs nearly intercepted Jones before Dallas' offense stalled following another penalty.

The Colts eventually reached field-goal range, but Quinnen Williams and Gary helped prevent a touchdown.

Spencer Shrader converted from 47 yards.

17-10 Cowboys.

Prescott answered with a promising drive, including a creative third-and-four completion to Javonte Williams.

Ferguson injured his knee following an 11-yard reception, while a potential Lamb touchdown was overturned.

Aubrey connected from 28 yards.

20-10 Cowboys.

Then Ashton Dulin caught a short pass and raced 55 yards for a touchdown after missed tackles by Locke and Marist Liufau.

20-17 Cowboys.

1. Quinnen is relentless - Williams finished with seven tackles and three tackles for loss. A disruptive afternoon.

2. Credit Schotty - The third-and-four design to Williams was genuinely creative. More of that, please.

3. Another defensive breakdown - One missed-tackle disaster erased much of Dallas' defensive work.

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Prescott made an incredible third-and-12 throw to Lamb, who got back up untouched and continued running ...

Then Lamb fumbled after a 48-yard gain.

Unbelievable!

Bland committed a 40-yard pass interference penalty, and Dee Winters followed with another costly flag.

Williams eventually forced Taylor to fumble, with James recovering.

Even that wasn't enough to avoid another penalty, as DeMarvion Overshown came onto the field in street clothes to celebrate.

Dallas punted, and Shrader connected from 59 yards.

20-20.

Aubrey missed a potential go-ahead field goal, and Indianapolis capitalized with Shrader's 50-yarder.

23-20 Colts. Just 1:37 remaining.

Luckily, Prescott immediately found Ryan Flournoy for 47 yards. Four plays and 29 seconds later, Williams scored from one yard out.

27-23 Cowboys.

Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams pressured Jones on Indianapolis' final possession, helping force a desperate third-and-22 throw.

Downs intercepted it, snagging the first pick of his career to cap a phenomenal day.

27-23 Cowboys. Final. No collapse this time.

1. Dak delivers - Prescott finished with 335 yards and two touchdowns. His connection with Flournoy rescued Dallas.

2. Discipline remains disastrous - Lamb's fumble, repeated penalties and Aubrey's miss nearly cost Dallas another victory.

3. Downs finishes the job - Clark and Williams created the pressure. Downs delivered the interception. Game over.

Prescott threw for 335 yards. Lamb caught 10 passes for 195. Williams rushed for 101.

Dallas held Taylor to 46 rushing yards.

And somehow, the Cowboys still needed a last-minute miracle against a two-win opponent.

The penalties remain unacceptable. The turnovers were costly. Another double-digit lead nearly disappeared entirely.

But unlike last week against Arizona, Dallas responded when it mattered.

Prescott delivered. Flournoy delivered. The defense finished.

Next come the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 15, at 3:25 p.m. CST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Dallas will look to snap a four-game losing streak against its longtime rival.

The Cowboys still have plenty to fix at 4-5. But if they intend to turn this season around, Sunday's dramatic escape can't be another isolated moment.

It absolutely must be the beginning of something ... time's running out.