ARLINGTON, Texas – Something seemed a little off. DeMarvion overwhelmed was on a blitz, and the running back recovered it. But after the two collided, the rear left the Dallas Cowboys the linebacker leaves.
And that’s when Overshown changed the game.
The second-year linebacker raised his right arm, grabbed the short pass intended for the running back and carried it near the New York Giants 25-yard line. Overshown then finished the run, holding the ball in the air near the 5-yard line as he ran into the end zone.
The play helped the Cowboys take a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter, and they never looked back, defeat the Giants 27-20 Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
“I was really thinking, ‘Blow the room up,’” Overshown said. “It was a blitz with my number on it. I just knew I had to make an impact play or at least cause some confusion there. When the running back let go of me, I was like, “Some shit is happening. “And then the quarterback threw the ball and I was like, ‘That’s my play to make.’ »
The quarterback was Drew Lockplaying in place of an injured Tommy DeVito. The ball carrier was Devin Singletary. On the Fox game broadcast, Tom Brady highlighted how the Giants called it a “low-risk play” with the screen, certainly not expecting any potential turnover.
“Lock doesn’t even think about an interception,” Brady said. “You think I had an easy throw. But Overshown, with its length, ends up changing the situation.
The AT&T Stadium crowd that has understandably booed the home team several times this season was about as loud as it has been all season as Overshown finished the race.
WHAT A GAME OF OVERSHON.
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“I was able to inject some Nitrous, and we danced in the end zone after that,” Overshown said. “As soon as I got the ball, I knew I scored. So it was like, “What dance am I ready to perform today?” »
“It couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanksgiving, the world is watching.
The start of Thursday’s game looked similar to the Cowboys’ previous home games this season. The offense was unimpressive and the defense struggled to stop a Giants offense that managed only one meaningless late touchdown in a 30-7 loss to the Giants. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
But after the Overshown game, there was momentum that was missing at home. Dallas entered the game having trailed significantly early in the fourth quarter in its previous five home games, all blowout losses. It’s a strange situation for a team that had a 16-game home winning streak over the previous two seasons. The Cowboys led 27-10 at the end of the third quarter.
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“This is our home,” Overshown said. “This is our castle. Teams should be afraid to face us when they come here. Being on that losing streak wasn’t nice for us either. It’s nice to make this place rock like it’s supposed to. Now we must continue.
The Cowboys have won two straight games, improving their record to 5-7. But they’re a long way from realistically discussing the playoffs. Beat him Washington Commanders and Giants is certainly no reason to write off the start of this disappointing season. Even the team’s usual glass-half-full owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, didn’t want to discuss playoff possibilities after the game.
But Overshown’s play is a reason to be optimistic about the future. It also has a way of making us wonder what could have happened last season as his rookie year ended in Dallas’ second preseason game. Could a play like the one he made Thursday have made a difference during the season or perhaps even in the playoffs if he hadn’t suffered a torn ACL in his left knee?
“I told you from the start, he was going to be a guy,” Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Before the injury, I said, ‘He’s going to be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-type player.’ Now he’s not yet (#11), he’s agent 0. He’s not trying to be like me; it’s its own special specimen. He’s a wildcat on the ground. Man, I love playing next to him.
Overshown made flash plays early in the season, but he has been more consistent as this year has progressed. Playing next to a veteran like Eric Kendricks helped. The two connected on another key defensive play Thursday.
On the first series of the third quarter, Kendricks sacked Lock, taking away the ball in the process. Shown recovered. Dallas scored six plays later, making the score 20-10.
DeMarvion Overshown’s interception return for a TD changed the game on Thursday. (Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)
“D-Mo is a great player,” Kendricks said. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever been around. His attitude is simply pure. He loves the game. I love watching him. And that motivates me, being in my 10th year. It motivates me to see a year 2 guy like him, especially what he brings to the field.
“He’s getting better every game. He knows he has things to do. He takes it seriously. The sky is the limit. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us. Expect more big games from him this year.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy had similar thoughts after the game, saying Overshown’s interception was one of the highlights of Dallas’ season. He, too, sees even better days for last year’s third-round pick.
“I’m very grateful,” Overshown said. “Right before the game, I was like, ‘this time last year, I was just waiting to show people my testimony.’ When I get back on the field, I’m going to show what God really put in me: to go out there, inspire and play the way I do. Being on the field healthy is all I can ask for.
(Photo: Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)