The Cowboys are on a five-game losing streak and head to Washington D.C. to take on a Commanders team that has turned things around this year under Dan Quinn, who isn't the only familiar foe on the opposing sideline.
Patrik: These two teams are headed in opposite directions and that's very disappointing considering I had this matchup circled ahead of the season as one that would likely go on to help determine which of the two had the best chance at winning the NFC East over the Eagles. Ah well. The hope for the Cowboys is that the potential return/2024 debut of DaRon Bland to join with Jourdan Lewis and Trevon Diggs will put a cap on what rookie sensation Jayden Daniels can do, with Diggs often shutting down Terry McLaurin. But seeing what Joe Mixon did last week and how Dallas' offense is failing to string together long drives and/or score the football, it feels like another week in which the defense gets gassed before it's all said-and-done — the Commanders' defense also having former Cowboys' who'd love to leave their imprint on the game. There's so much firepower for Washington and most of Dallas' is on injured reserve or the like. 34-10, Commanders
Kyle Youmans: With some players returning from injury this week, and others nearing their return, there is some added hope for better play against quality opposition. However, there just hasn't been enough firepower on offense to warrant a large increase in expectations on that side of the ball. This game could follow a similar script as the previous two. Keep it close in the first half, defense makes some plays, offense struggles to get off the ground, and ultimately things unravel in the end. Washington takes this one, 27-17.
Nick: Yeah, I've played this game the last few weeks of thinking 'Hey, it's the NFL, anything can happen especially with division or rivalry games.' And yeah, the Cowboys have played it close against the Eagles and Texans, only to see the bottom drop out in the second half. And sure, Cleveland beating both Baltimore and Pittsburgh is proof that it can happen. But right now, I don't see anything from this Cowboys team that makes me think it can go up to Washington and beat a team that DESPERATELY wants to beat you. And yes, the Commanders are having a good season already, but they want to beat Dallas more than anything, especially with 10 former players and coaches over on that sideline. I've seen Dan Quinn defenses struggle to stop the run, well that won't be an issue against the Cowboys. And while I like the fact Bland, Cooks, Kneeland and Lewis could be back, they won't have Zack Martin and maybe a few others. So it's a bad matchup all the way around. Give me Washington, 24-16.
Tommy: The Cowboys' path to winning this game is one they haven't really leaned on all season, and that's the run game. Washington has allowed the most rushing yards of any team in the league this season, while the Cowboys have run for the second fewest yards of any team all year. If this is a game where Rico Dowdle finds his footing, Dallas has a real shot to win this game especially if they get a guy like DaRon Bland back in the secondary to help out the defense. At the end of the day though, I'm not going to go against a Dan Quinn defense struggling in this game, much less when it's against his former team. Jayden Daniels hasn't played his best since suffering a rib injury against Carolina, but he's still leading this offense well with help from a talented rushing duo in Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. With that being the case, I'm taking the Commanders in this one. Washington 28, Cowboys 10.
Mickey Spagnola: My gut is feeling a little better after seeing the Friday official game status injury report, suggesting at least cornerback DaRon Bland has been taken off the injury report, meaning he is physically capable of playing if ready to actually play football for the first time this season. Same with WR CeeDee Lamb, off the injury report, and at least WR Brandin Cooks, DE Marshawn Kneeland and Tyler Smith are listed as questionable. But sure get a pit in my stomach knowing tight end Jake Ferguson is out and Zack Martin is doubtful, which to me sounds really doubtful since he left the Houston game injuring his other ankle and hasn't practiced all week. And don't like Trevon Diggs ending up limited in the past two practices, his questionable more questionable at this point. One of these days a win is going to land in the Cowboys laps, just like the only win of the 1989 season did after that 0-8 start to the eventual 1-15 season. And guess what? Happened on a Sunday night in Washington D.C. I was there.
