The first onside kick returned for a touchdown in 2024 belongs to the Dallas Cowboys.
In the closing seconds of their thriller against the Washington Commanders, Washington's onside kick attempt trailing 27-26 was recovered by Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas and returned to the end zone.
ONSIDE KICK RETURN FOR A TD WHY NOT?!
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
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Thomas, a 24-year-old undrafted Georgia Tech product in 2022, sealed Dallas' stunning 34-26 result over its divisional rivals, which started the season strong but have now lost three straight.
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Technically, though, Thomas could have simply gone down to end the game at that point. Despite scoring on the play, Washington still had a chance for a miracle being down by one possession.
Washington needed to attempt the onside kick after Austin Seibert missed his second extra-point try of the game, going 0-for-2 in the process.
The miss came off the heels of Jayden Daniels somehow finding Terry McLaurin, who took it the distance to cap an 86-yard play in the last minute.
NFL
COMMANDERS 86-YARD TOUCHDOWN WOW
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
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Dallas, now 4-7 after snapping a five-game skid, will next host the lowly New York Giants. Washington will host the Tennessee Titans to end its winless drought.