ARLINGTON, Texas -- Sometimes you need a defense to stop the other team’s momentum. That didn’t happen Thursday in the second quarter.

Trailing, 14-3, with 5:55 left in the half, the Cowboys had to stop Washington to keep the game close, but on their only third-down try, they could not get off the field with Brandon Banks catching an 8-yard pass from Robert Griffin III.

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick was hurt on the play, sending the defense into a tizzy. With Scandrick out, the Cowboys tried to come after Griffin two plays later with a blitz and did not get home.

Griffin rifled a crossing pass that was nearly deflected by Bruce Carter and behind wide receiver Pierre Garcon, but Garcon made a terrific grab and was in the clear. Brandon Carr, who moved to safety in the nickel defense for the first time in the game because of Scandrick’s absence, slipped and sent Garcon off to the end zone.

Not only could Carr not catch him, but neither could Mike Jenkins.

The end result was a 59-yard touchdown and a 21-3 lead for Washington.