The Washington Commanders (7-4) host the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) in a battle of NFC East rivals heading in opposite directions.
The game features a reunion of sorts for several Commanders going up against their former team. Washington head coach Dan Quinn is in his first year as Washington’s head after three seasons as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.
Quinn didn’t come to Washington alone. Former Cowboys Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, and Noah Brown are playing pivotal roles in the Commanders’ remarkable turnaround.
As the Cowboys prepared for Sunday’s game against Washington, head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about some of his former players.
“Those guys went with an opportunity that they felt they needed to do,” McCarthy said on Wednesday via Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.
“Everybody’s situation is different. I’m proud of those guys. They’re playing very well. Dante’s off the charts. DA is so damn consistent in the way he’s played. The video I’ve seen of him, I’ve been very impressed. That’s how this game works. The financial component, it changes your team every year. That’s why this is always such a challenge. It changes the dynamic.”
McCarthy then joked that he hoped Armstrong and Fowler were terrible on Sunday.
“I’m happy that they got a great opportunity, and I hope they play like s–t Sunday.”
McCarthy was clearly having fun. He coached Armstrong for four seasons and Fowler for two. McCarthy didn’t mention Biadasz and Brown; he was more specifically discussing Washington’s defense.
Fowler is having a career renaissance with the Commanders, leading the team with 8.5 sacks, while Armstrong has stabilized the defensive end position. Fowler is on pace to set a new career-high in sacks.
