The ball bounced through KaVonte Turpin’s legs and stopped near the 1-yard line. He picked it up, spun around, and sprinted down the field.
Turpin’s 99-yard kickoff return touchdown was the standout play in the Dallas Cowboys’ 34-26 win against Washington on Sunday, ending their five-game losing streak. This exciting play came with just under three minutes left, and then Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick for a touchdown to add to the excitement in an otherwise difficult season.
“Feels good to win,” said coach Mike McCarthy. “It’s been a minute.”
Key plays earlier in the game also helped set up the Cowboys’ comeback, including Chauncey Golston stripping the ball from Brian Robinson Jr., which counted as an interception against Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Donovan Wilson forcing a fumble from John Bates. Cooper Rush also played a big role in getting the team into position to make a comeback.
Turpin’s incredible return after a brief fumble excited everyone.
“He did that for timing,” McCarthy explained. “That was part of the plan. He’s a special young man. Obviously a huge play for us.”
Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, an All-Pro special teams player two years ago, was the first to reach Turpin on the play. He took the blame for missing the tackle when he had the chance.
“I’ve made that play 100 times,” Reaves said. “I didn’t make it today, and it cost us the game.”
Turpin’s spin move will likely be shown repeatedly on highlight reels. Receiver CeeDee Lamb called it “his escape move” because Turpin has been practicing it.
“I know I can just get them going one way and then spin back the other way,” Turpin said. “That’s just one of my moves when I’m in trouble and I’ve got nowhere to go: something nobody ever seen before.”
In a wild finish that McCarthy compared to a game of Yahtzee, Thomas’ touchdown was just as unexpected. It happened with 14 seconds left after Washington kicker Austin Seibert missed an extra point following an 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, leaving Dallas up 27-26.
“I kind of waited a second and I was like: ‘Should I try? Should I try?’” Thomas said. “I said, ‘I think I’m gonna score the ball,’ so I just ran and I scored.”
The Cowboys’ playoff chances are still slim at 4-7, but with the New York Giants coming to Dallas for the traditional Thanksgiving Day game, the players are allowing themselves to dream after winning for the first time since October 6.
“Lot of games left,” said Rush, who threw two touchdown passes. “Pretty insane… I think both sides of the ball and special teams picked each other up all game. I think it was a full team effort. Finally picking each other up like we’re supposed to.”