FRISCO - It seems a bit grandiose to refer to it simply as the play.
That sort of reverence is usually reserved for a game-defining sequence in the postseason or a key moment during an outstanding regular season, not a brief diversion from the misery of a losing season.
But that is what happened the last time the Cowboys took the field on Thanksgiving Day. DeMarvion Overshown, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season, made a play that stood out and gave frustrated fans a glimpse of the promise this defense holds heading into Monday night's game against Cincinnati and beyond.
Cowboys
Be the smartest Cowboys fan. Get the latest news.
SIGN UP
Or with:
GoogleFacebook
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Trailing in the second quarter against New York, Overshown showed a blitz but the Giants didn't slide protection his way. He was suspicious. When he got to Devin Singletary, he drove through the running back on the way to quarterback Drew Lock.
Overshown tipped the ball, caught it in stride and returned the interception 23 yards for his first NFL touchdown and a lead the Cowboys wouldn't relinquish.
Advertisement
In terms of recognition, execution and flash, it has to be the best play of his young career.
"If I can pick one, that's definitely top two,'' Overshown said, smiling. "That one, and I feel the play that really got my college recruiting trail going. I think it was like the first highlight of my junior, high school tape. It was just a hit, something I love doing.
"But this one was one of my favorite plays, one of my best plays ever.''
Advertisement
Mike McCarthy wouldn't disagree. The Cowboys head coach called it a great play, one that showed the linebacker's anticipation, instincts and ability to control the football.
Advertisement
"It was a terrific play,'' defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer agreed. "I thought he collisioned the back really, really well. Beat the back, then was able to tip the ball and catch it.
"He's a guy with a lot of speed, physicality, tackles well. I feel like he continues to get better and better.
"The more ways we can use him the better it is.''
Advertisement
Overshown is second on the Cowboys in tackles with 88. His five sacks ranks behind only Micah Parsons on the team and his three tackles for a loss ties him for the team lead with Mazi Smith. He also has a fumble recovery.
Zimmer talks about the linebacker's football IQ and how much he's grown from the start of the season. Overshown wasn't in a lot of packages early. But it was never about him gaining the trust of the coaching staff.
It was about him working back from a major injury after missing his rookie season with a torn ACL. It was about seeing what he could do and incorporating it into the scheme going forward.
"He's proven he's one of the better players we have,'' Zimmer said. "When [the coaches] talk about things, it's 'if we do this, we'd have to have D Mo off the field, so we don't want to do that.'
Advertisement
"We're trying to use him in as many ways as we can. He's got a unique asset of strength and speed and power. When he gets the football, he's got physicality and usually he can get to the ball.
"You don't want to take a guy like that off the field if you can help it.''
Overshown began to showcase what he can do in the four games Parsons missed with a high ankle sprain. He was asked to do more than he would have been if Parsons had been healthy.
Now that Parsons is back and has recaptured his dominant form, this defense is getting to the quarterback and making more plays than it has at any point this season.
Advertisement
"I can say with No. 11 [Parsons] on the field it's going to open up for a lot of people,'' Overshown said. "You turn on the tape, the majority of the time he's got two or three people holding onto him. That's just going to open one-on-ones for me.
"I'm looking at that as something I should win every time. They're going to have to put some respect on No. 13."
That's Overshown's number, in case you were wondering.
While Parsons raves about Overshown and his future, he does point out that number is a bit behind his.
Advertisement
"Oh, hey, he said it right,'' Overshown agreed. "He said I'm not quite No. 11. But I'm No. 13.
"We don't need two No. 11s. We got a No. 11 and we got a No. 13.''
Now, about that play ...
"I think we're just seeing the tip of the iceberg,'' McCarthy said. "Really, I'm so impressed with him and in his consistency in his approach and that's just going to keep putting him in the position to progress.
Advertisement
"Frankly, we need to give him more opportunities because he obviously can make plays from the edge also.
"But yes, a big-time play.''
Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) this Tuesday from 7-8 p.m.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
AdvertisementRelated StoriesRead MoreHow to watch Cowboys-Bengals on Monday Night Football: Start time, TV/streaming and moreWhere to see Joe Burrow and the Bengals take on the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys.Everything to know about Cowboys-Bengals: Dallas carries win streak into Monday night boutCooper Rush and the Cowboys face the Joe Burrow-led Bengals at AT&T Stadium.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.