ARLINGTON, Texas — Something seemed a little off. Demarvion Overshawn chased him down and the running back picked him up. However, after the two collided, Buck let the Dallas Cowboys linebacker escape.
And that's when Overshawn changed the game.
The second-year linebacker raised his right arm, picked up a short pass to the running back, and carried it to near the New York Giants' 25-yard line. Obershawn then finished his run and ran into the end zone with the ball still in the air near the 5-yard line.
The play gave the Cowboys a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter, and they defeated the Giants 27-20 on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
“I was really like, 'Let's just make the play explode,'” Overshawn said. “It was a blitz with my number on it. I knew I had to make an impact play or at least cause some disruption. When the running back released me, I was like, 'Something like that. BS is happening,” I thought. And the quarterback threw the ball, and I thought, “This is the play I'm supposed to make.'' ”
Drew Lock played quarterback in place of injured Tommy DeVito. The running back was Devin Singletary. On Fox's game broadcast, Tom Brady pointed out how the Giants used screens, what he called “low-risk plays,” but certainly didn't anticipate potential turnovers.
“Lock doesn't even think about interceptions,” Brady said. “You would think I would have been an easy throw, but Overshawn, with his length, ends up making the game-changing play.”
The AT&T Stadium crowd, which has understandably booed the home team several times this season, was the loudest it had been all season when Overshawn finished his run.
Great play by Overshawn.
📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
📱: Streaming #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/o9hC8Zduzw— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024
“I was able to kick the Nitros around a little bit, and after that we were dancing in the end zone,” Overshawn said. “As soon as I got the ball, I knew I had scored a goal. So I was like, 'What kind of dance would be appropriate for me to perform today?'
“The timing couldn't have been better. The world is watching on Thanksgiving.”
The start of Thursday's game was similar to previous Cowboys home games this season. The offense was unimpressive, with the defense struggling to contain the Giants' offense, which allowed just one meaningless late touchdown in Sunday's 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. .
But after Overshawn's play, the home side had the momentum they lacked. In each of Dallas' past five home games, they have been heavily behind in the fourth quarter, resulting in decisive defeats. It's a strange situation for a team that has won 16 straight games at home over the past two seasons. The Cowboys led 27-10 at the end of the third quarter.
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“This is our home,” Overshawn said. “This is our castle. Teams should be afraid to come here and play against us. We were on a losing streak, so it wasn't good for us either. It's good to see this place buzzing like it should.” That's what we have to do now.”
The Cowboys won their second straight game, improving their record to 5 wins and 7 losses. But they are far from realistically discussing the playoffs. Beating the Washington Commanders and Giants is no reason to erase this disappointing start to the season. Even the usually glass-half-full team owner and general manager Jerry Jones didn't want to talk about the playoff possibilities after the game.
But Overshawn's play gives him reason to be optimistic about the future. It also makes you wonder what could have been last season, as his rookie year ended with Dallas' second preseason game. Could plays like the one he made Thursday have made a difference during the season or even the playoffs had he not suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee?
“I told everyone from the beginning he was going to be a bastard,” Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Before he got hurt, I said, 'That's an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-type player.' Now, he's not (No. 11) yet. That's Agent 0. He's like me. He's not trying to be. He's his own special specimen. Oh, I love playing next to him.”
Overshawn showed some flash play early in the season, but has become more consistent as the year has progressed. Playing next to a veteran like Eric Kendricks helped. On Thursday, the two connected on another key defensive play.
On the first series of the third quarter, Kendricks sacked Lock, stealing the ball in the process. Overshow has recovered. Dallas then made six plays to make the score 20-10.
On Thursday, Demarvion Overshawn's interception return for a TD changed the course of the game. (Andrew Deeb/Imagine Images)
“D-Mo is a great player,” Kendricks said. “He's one of the best players I've ever met. His attitude is just pure. He loves the game. He loves watching it. And that's what I've seen in my 10th year. Seeing a second-year player like him, especially what he brings to the field, motivates me too.
“He's getting better every game. He knows he has things to work on. He takes it seriously. The sky is the limit. What he has in store. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does. We can expect even bigger games from him this year.”
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy had similar thoughts after the game, calling Obershawn's interception one of Dallas' highlight plays of the season. He, too, believes better days are ahead for last year's third-round pick.
“I'm very grateful,” Obershawn said. “Right before the game, I said to myself, 'This time last year, I was just waiting to show people my testimony.' When I got back on the field, I realized that God had really poured out on me. All I can hope for is to be able to get on the field healthy. ”
(Photo: Andrew Deeb / Imagn Images)
