ARLINGTON, Texas — Something seemed a little off. DeMarvion Overshown was blitzing, and the running back picked him up. But after the two collided, the back let the Dallas Cowboys linebacker go.
And that’s when Overshown changed the game.
The second-year linebacker put up his right arm, got a hand on the short pass intended for the running back and hauled it in 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 put the Cowboys ahead 13-7 early in the second quarter, and they never looked back, defeating the Giants 27-20 on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
“I was really just thinking, ‘Just blow up the play,’” Overshown said. “It was a blitz with my number on it. I just knew I needed to make an impact play or at least cause some type of confusion back there. When the running back let me loose, I was like, ‘There’s some BS going on.’ And then the quarterback threw the ball and I was like, ‘This is my play to make.’”
The quarterback was Drew Lock, playing in place of an injured Tommy DeVito. The running back was Devin Singletary. On the Fox game broadcast, Tom Brady pointed out how the Giants called a “low-risk play” with the screen, certainly not expecting a potential turnover.
“Lock isn’t even thinking about an interception,” Brady said. “You think I got an easy throw. But Overshown with his length ends up making a game-changing play.”
An AT&T Stadium crowd that has understandably booed the home team several times this season was about as loud as it’s been all season as Overshown finished the run.
WHAT A PLAY BY OVERSHOWN.
📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
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“I was able to kick in some Nitrous, and we were dancing in the end zone after that,” Overshown said. “As soon as I got the ball, I knew I was scoring. So it was like, ‘What dance am I fitting to bring out today?’
“It couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanksgiving, the world’s watching.”
The start of Thursday’s game looked similar to previous Cowboys home games this season. The offense was unimpressive, and the defense was struggling to shut down a Giants offense that managed only one meaningless late touchdown in a 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
But after the Overshown play, there was a momentum that has been missing at home. Dallas entered the game having trailed significantly entering the fourth quarter in its previous five home games, all decisive losses. It’s been a strange situation for a team that had been riding 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 scared to play us when they come here. Being on that losing streak, it wasn’t nice for us, either. It’s good to get this place rocking like it’s supposed to be. Now we got to keep it going.”
The Cowboys have won two consecutive games, improving their record to 5-7. But they’re far from realistically discussing the playoffs. Beating the Washington Commanders and Giants is certainly not a reason to erase how this disappointing season has started. Even usual glass-half-full team 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 one wonder what could have been last season as his rookie year ended in Dallas’ second preseason game. Could a play like the one he made Thursday have been a difference-maker during the season or maybe even the playoffs had he not suffered a torn ACL in his left knee?
“I told y’all from the beginning he was going to be a dude,” Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Before the injury, I said, ‘That will be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-type player. Now, he ain’t (No. 11) yet, that’s Agent 0. He’s not trying to be like me; he’s his own special specimen. He’s a wildcat on the field. Man, I love playing next to him.”
Overshown turned in flash plays early in the season, but he’s been more consistent as this year has unfolded. Playing next to a veteran like Eric Kendricks has helped. The two connected on another key defensive play Thursday.
On the opening series of the third quarter, Kendricks sacked Lock, stripping the ball in the process. Overshown recovered. Dallas scored six plays later, making the score 20-10.
DeMarvion Overshown’s interception return for a TD was a game-changer 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 just pure. He loves the game. I love to see it. And it 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 work on. He’s taking it seriously. The sky is the limit. I’m excited to see what he has in store. 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 Dallas’ highlight plays of the season. He, too, sees even better days ahead for last year’s third-round pick.
“I’m very thankful,” Overshown said. “Just before the game, I was telling myself, ‘Around 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 has truly put into me: to go out there and inspire and play like I do.’ Just being out there on the field healthy is all I can ask for.”
(Photo: Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)