This Sunday, an intense NFC East rivalry reignites as the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) take on the Washington Commanders (7-4). This matchup marks the first clash of the season, with a rematch scheduled for Week 18. The Cowboys recently experienced a tough loss against the Texans, falling 34-10 as 7.5-point underdogs at home. Meanwhile, the Commanders faced the Eagles on Thursday night, suffering a 26-18 defeat while failing to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. Currently, Washington is favored by 10 points in this game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, with the game broadcast regionally on FOX.
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Which team will claim victory in this NFC East showdown? Read below for insights on the Cowboys vs. Commanders matchup.
Dallas Cowboys Struggling with Five Consecutive Losses
The Dallas Cowboys are enduring a challenging phase. They are tied to a $60 million quarterback who is out for the season due to a hamstring surgery. This hefty contract has restricted their ability to strengthen the roster. Despite their struggles, they are not yet mathematically out of playoff contention, but a turnaround is imperative. In their latest game, backup quarterback Cooper Rush amassed 354 passing yards, along with one touchdown and one interception, but it was not enough against Houston.
Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed the team’s frustrations after the defeat, stating, “I mean, we’re all frustrated. I think there’d be something wrong if they weren’t frustrated. So just be very honest with everything and stay in tune with what’s right in front of us.” Rush is expected to lead again as quarterback. Although he posted impressive passing figures last week, those stats were inflated due to falling behind early. He has logged 566 yards this season, with a completion rate of 57.3% and a 2-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Cowboys’ ground game has been lackluster, with Rico Dowdle leading the team at 402 rushing yards but no touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb remains a standout, boasting 67 receptions for 774 yards and four touchdowns.
Currently, the Cowboys rank 24th in the league for scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game, while their defense is struggling, ranked 31st, allowing 29.3 points per game. Linebacker Erik Kendricks leads the team with 87 tackles, contributing to two of their 24 sacks. DeMarvion Overshown has four sacks to his name, while Micah Parsons has added three. The secondary, led by Trevon Diggs, has intercepted six passes this season.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR CeeDee Lamb, TE Jake Ferguson, G Zach Martin, T Tyler Smith, CB Trevon Diggs, CB Jourdan Lewis.
Washington Commanders Seeking to End Losing Streak
The Washington Commanders find themselves in a similar predicament, having dropped their last two games. They will enter this contest with extra rest, having played on Thursday, while Dallas played on Monday night. Washington is just one game behind in the NFC East race and holds a favorable position for a Wild Card berth, but a return to winning form is crucial. In their previous game against Philadelphia, quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 191 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception.
In a bold decision, Washington opted not to attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter when trailing 12-10. Daniels commented on the call, saying, “I trust my teammates. I trust the unit. I always trust the coaches. I never question them.” This season, he has accumulated 2,338 passing yards with a 68.7% completion rate and a 10-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also poses a running threat, ranking second on the team with 483 rushing yards. Brian Robinson Jr. leads the rushing attack with 524 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns. Their top receiver, Terry McLaurin, has made 48 receptions for 721 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, Austin Ekeler has contributed both on the ground and through the air, with 333 rushing yards and 344 receiving yards.
Washington ranks 4th in scoring across the league, averaging 28.0 points per game, while their defense stands at 14th, allowing 22.1 points per game. Bobby Wagner, the veteran linebacker, leads the team with 91 tackles and has contributed to two of their 29 sacks. Dante Fowler Jr. tops the team in sacks with 8.5, and the Commanders have recorded four interceptions from four different players this season.
Injury Report:
Questionable: DE Clelin Ferrell, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, CB Noah Igbinoghene.
Best Bets for Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
