While some fans are expecting a cake-walk, the Cowboys should prepare for this game as if the playoffs have begun. Not because I think this Wash team is a quiet juggernaut, but because the NFL has proven time and again that the least expected result can happen. This isn’t college football where the talent margins are huge.
With that said, the Cowboys are clearly the better team. But they have to prove it Sunday.
Here are some points about the Washington team.
GENERAL FACTS
- They are 4-12 after starting 2-0.
- Amazingly, the commanders are only 1-7 at home, 3-5 on the road.
- The commanders rarely get blown out. Despite losing 12 games, in 9 of the commanders losses, it was a one score loss.
- The commanders have had their share of injuries. They currently have 16 players on injured reserve (Dallas has 9). Seven commanders players have been placed on IR just in December.
- The commanders only avg 20 points per game on offense, while averaging giving up 30 ppg. In 3 of their 12 losses, they got blown out.
- Not surprisingly, the commanders are dead last in turnover differential at -12.
OFFENSE
- Ron Rivera won’t say who will start Sun at QB. It will be either Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett. I think it will be Howell because Brissett has been banged up lately.
- QB Sam Howell has been Dr. Jeckel/Mr. Hyde. He threw for 300 yards against us on Thanksgiving but that included a Deron Bland pick 6 and no TDs. He can be a good passer at times. He has 20 TDs but also 19 pics. He’s a young QB who takes a lot of risks.
- Wash averages only 321 yds per game on offense; 224 passing, 97 rushing.
- RB Brian Robinson is their leading rusher with 706 yds and WR Terry McLaurin leads the team with 73 receptions for 946 yds and 4TDs. Neither are great but they are decent.
DEFENSE
- The commanders actually have more talent on D, but it hasn’t translated yet to much success.
- The commanders defense is the worst in the league in total yards given up at 386 ypg. They are especially vulnerable in the passing game, giving up 259 ypg.
- Safety Kamren Curl has 115 tackles and can hit hard. But it can be bad when a S is your leading tackler.
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Score FIRST! The Cowboys are 9-0 when they score first, and are 2-5 when the opponent scores first. Bad teams tend to quit early if you jump on them at the outset. An early Cowboys lead can deflate them in the first half.
- Wash is a turnover machine, especially when behind. Get up early, get after them defensively, then get the ball.
- The Wash secondary has been very vulnerable of late. I expect us to carve them up early.
Bottom Line– the numbers show the commanders are a bad team – on both sides of the ball. But they are young, and they do play hard for their coaches as evidenced by so many close games. Get up on these guys early and put the pressure on!
Let‘s go get the division and the #2 seed!
