ARLINGTON, Texas – Something seemed somewhat off. DeMarvion Overshown blitzed and the running back caught him. But after the 2 collided, the back let go of the Dallas Cowboys linebacker.
And that's where Overshown modified the sport.
The second-year linebacker raised his right arm, grabbed the short pass intended for the running back and hurled it near the New York Giants' 25-yard line. Overshown then finished the run, keeping the ball within the air near the 5-yard line as he bumped into the top zone.
The play helped give the Cowboys a 13-7 lead early within the second quarter, they usually never looked back, defeating the Giants 27-20 on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
“I really just thought, 'Just blow that play up,'” Overshown said. “It was a lightning bolt with my number on it. I just knew I had to make an impactful play or at least cause some confusion back there. When the running back let go of me, I thought, 'Some bullshit is going on.' And then the quarterback threw the ball and I thought, 'That's my play.'”
The quarterback was Drew Lock, who played in place of the injured Tommy DeVito. The running back was Devin Singletary. On the Fox game broadcast, Tom Brady pointed out that the Giants called the screen a “low-risk play” and were certainly not anticipating a potential turnover.
“Lock doesn’t even think about an interception,” Brady said. “You think I made an easy throw. But Overshown’s length ultimately makes for a game-changing play.”
The crowd at AT&T Stadium, which has understandably booed the house team several times this season, was about as loud because it has been all season when Overshown ended the run.
What a chunk from Overshown.
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“I was able to inject some nitrous and after that we were dancing in the end zone,” Overshown said. “As soon as I got the ball, I knew I was going to score. So I asked myself, “What dance can I do today?”
“It couldn't have come at a better time. Thanksgiving, the world is watching.”
The start of Thursday's game looked much like previous Cowboys home games this season. The offense was unimpressive and the defense struggled to stop the Giants' offense, which managed only one meaningless late touchdown in a 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
But after the overshown game there was a momentum that was missing at home. Dallas entered the sport having trailed significantly entering the fourth quarter in its last five home games, all of them decisive losses. It was a wierd situation for a team that had been on a 16-game home winning streak over the past two seasons. The Cowboys led 27-10 at the top of the third quarter.
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“This is our home,” Overshown said. “This is our castle. Teams should be afraid to play against us when they come here. The series of defeats wasn't pretty for us either. It's nice that this place rocks like it's supposed to. Now we have to move on.”
The Cowboys have won two straight games and improved their record to 5-7. But they’re removed from realistically discussing the playoffs. Winning against the Washington Commanders and Giants is actually no reason to discount the beginning of this disappointing season. Even Jerry Jones, the team owner and general manager, who is often half full, didn't need to discuss playoff possibilities after the sport.
But Overshown's game is a reason to be optimistic concerning the future. It also makes you wonder what might have been last season when his rookie 12 months resulted in Dallas' second preseason game. Would a play just like the one he made Thursday have made a difference in the course of the season, or maybe even within the playoffs, if he hadn't suffered a torn ACL in his left knee?
“I told y’all from the beginning that he was going to be a guy,” Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “Before the injury, I said, 'This is going to be a Pro Bowl-type All-Pro player.' Well, he's not yet (No. 11), that's Agent 0. He's not trying to be like me; he is his very special specimen. He is a wildcat in the field. Man, I love playing next to him.”
Overshown delivered flash plays early in the season but has been more consistent over the course of this year. Playing alongside a veteran like Eric Kendricks helped. The two met on Thursday in another important defensive game.
On the opening series of the third quarter, Kendricks sacked Lock, depriving him of the ball in the process. Overshown recovered. Six plays later, Dallas scored, making the score 20-10.
DeMarvion Overshown's interception return for a touchdown was a turning point on Thursday. (Andrew Dieb/Imagn Images)
“D-Mo is a great player,” Kendricks said. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever been with. His attitude is just pure. He loves the game. I love watching it. And it motivates me to be in my 10th year. It motivates me to see a sophomore like him, especially what he brings to the field.
“He’s getting better every game. He knows he has things he needs to work on. He takes 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 sport, saying Overshown's interception was one among the highlights of the season for Dallas. He also sees higher days ahead for last 12 months's third-round pick.
“I’m very grateful,” Overshown said. “Right before the game I said to myself, 'This time last year I was just waiting to show people what I said.' “When I get back on the sector, I'm going to indicate what God has really put into me: to go on the market, encourage me and play the best way I do. “All I can hope for is to be healthy on the field. “
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