The Washington Commanders (4-12) host the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) in the regular-season finale on Sunday. We list four reasons why the Commanders should be concerned:
There is an incentive for Dallas in this year’s game
The 2022 season finale saw Dallas come to Washington needing an Eagles loss to the Giants for the Cowboys to have any hope of winning the division. This season, the Cowboys hold that possibility in their own hands. Win, and the Cowboys are the number two seed, which means they would play the first two rounds at AT&T Stadium, where they are undefeated in 2023.
The Cowboys defense could be suffocating
The Washington offense only produced ten points in the first meeting. In this meeting, the offensive line will be without Tyler Larsen and Charles Leno. The offense was supposed to be much better in 2023, with offensive coordinator Scott Turner being fired and Eric Bieniemy being hired as his replacement. However, the Commanders continue to average less than 20 points a game (19.9), which is 23rd in the NFL. The Cowboys are surrendering only 190 passing yards a game which is fifth in the NFL. Look for Sam Howell to be harassed on many of his passing attempts.
The Dallas offense will generate explosive plays
It appears unavoidable, but the Commanders pass defense is next to last (31st) in the NFL. They give up explosives, week after week. They surrender 259 passing yards a game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys passing offense is fourth in the NFL averaging 255 yards a game. It’s a deadly combination/matchup. The only way the Commanders can prevent some big Cowboys passing game plays is to generate an effective pass rush. However, their pass rush has been virtually non-existent since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
This season can’t end soon enough for the Commanders
This week saw Ron Rivera not exactly endorsing Eric Bieniemy as a head coach candidate. Rivera then declared he has been managing for 3.5 seasons and finally coaching the last five weeks, and Jahan Dotson stated there really was a culture problem with the Commanders. Rivera, however, has been the coach-centric director of all football operations in his four seasons, including the power of trading, drafting and hiring his own coaching staff.
