Dallas Cowboys Edge Colts 27-23 With Late Dak Prescott Heroics

The Dallas Cowboys escaped Indianapolis with a 27-23 victory over the Colts on November 8, 2026, improving to 4-5.

The win came on the heels of a blown fourth-quarter lead a week prior.

It sets up a critical matchup next Sunday against the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are a good football team, Cowboys coach, Brian Schottenheimer said.

Late-Game Heroics Seal the Win

Trailing by three points with 1:37 remaining, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott connected with Ryan Flournoy on a 46-yard pass.

Three plays and two Colts penalties later, Javonte Williams scored from a yard out to put Dallas ahead with 1:08 to play. We got it done, Prescott said. It wasn't the prettiest, it wasn't the best second half from the whole team, but we got it done.

The Colts got the ball back with 35 seconds left but were unable to capitalize.

Rookie safety Caleb Downs intercepted Daniel Jones to seal the victory. I've been saying it all year, and I'm glad that we finally finished the game today, Downs said. We've got to play like it's on us every play.

Dallas dominated statistically, outgaining Indianapolis 508 yards to 271.

CeeDee Lamb caught 10 passes for 195 yards.

Williams finished with 101 yards rushing on 20 carries, his second 100-yard game of the season.

The Colts defense, which had been allowing over 500 yards per game, was unable to stop Lamb.

The Colts were also without key players, as wide receiver George Pickens was inactive due to a hamstring injury.

The Colts lost their fifth consecutive game and fell to 2-6 on the season.

Turnovers and Penalties Plague Cowboys

Despite the victory, the Cowboys were their own worst enemy at times.

Dallas committed 14 penalties for 153 yards, their highest total since 2021. There were a lot of penalties called, so I want to look at the film before I speak on it, Schottenheimer said.

The miscues included an unsportsmanlike conduct call against inactive linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who was penalized for running onto the field in street clothes to celebrate a takeaway.

The Cowboys also lost a fumble at their own 19-yard line that set up an Indianapolis touchdown.

Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones finished 20 of 34 for 180 yards and one touchdown.

The Colts’ decision to let the Cowboys score was a strategic one, as coach Shane Steichen explained: Yeah, we let them score. I mean they've got four shots from the 1-yard line so we have a chance to get the ball back.

The Cowboys entered the game with several key inactives, including wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), and defensive starters Joey Porter Jr. (foot) and DeMarvion Overshown (back and hamstring), who were all questionable leading up to the game.

The team’s focus now shifts to next Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, widely considered the toughest test on their schedule. We'll see, Prescott said of the matchup. We got to be ready. We've had these games up and down, and we understand that it's a good opponent coming in, an NFC opponent, and we'll get them at home.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones spoke about the team’s goals, saying, We're pushing to make our team better to make a run.

Colts owner Jim Irsay addressed the fans during halftime, who were booing the team’s performance. I just hope they appreciate and know that I appreciate them, he said.

The Colts will host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday in what could be a matchup of rebuilding teams.

The Cowboys’ win over the Colts highlighted their resilience and their inconsistencies.

The team will need to clean up their mistakes if they hope to compete with the 49ers.

Can they make a legitimate playoff run?

Earlier coverage: Dallas Cowboys escape Indianapolis with a 27-23 win after a frantic final minute, keeping their

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