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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Bryan Manning

Statistical breakdown: How the Commanders and Cowboys stack up ahead of Week 18 game

The Washington Commanders (4-12) wrap up the 2023 regular season on Sunday, hosting the Dallas Cowboys (11-5). With a win, the Cowboys clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 overall seed in the NFC playoffs.

Washington has lost seven games in a row and is currently No. 2 in the 2024 NFL draft order. On Wednesday, head coach Ron Rivera announced that quarterback Sam Howell will start the season finale. It’s been a tough year for the young passer, who showed plenty of promise through the first half of the season but has struggled for several weeks.

Rivera benched Howell for Jacoby Brissett last week, but a hamstring injury prevented the veteran from playing against the 49ers, and Howell returned to the lineup.

Last season, the Commanders were a much better team than this year’s version but entered the final game against Dallas, already eliminated from the playoffs. The Cowboys had already clinched a playoff berth but had an outside shot at winning the NFC East. Washington dominated Dallas, but the game didn’t impact the Cowboys, as the Eagles won their game to win the division.

We know the records, but how do these longtime rivals compare statistically?

Let’s review the stats and see how these teams compare to one another ahead of Week 18.

 

Scoring Offense

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) catches a touchdown pass against Washington Commanders safety Jartavius Martin (20). Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 3rd, 29.4 PPG

Commanders: 23rd, 19.9 PPG

Pass Offense

Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Cowboys: 4th, 255.5 YPG

Commanders: 18th, 224.7 YPG

Rush Offense

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) carries the ball as San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99). Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 14th, 111.8 YPG

Commanders: 24th, 96.4 YPG

Total Offense

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4). Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 6th, 367.3 YPG

Commanders: 21st, 321.1 YPG

Scoring Defense

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) celebrates after the Cowboys make a stop on the Washington Commanders. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 5th, 19.1 PPG

Commanders: 32nd, 30.0 PPG

Pass Defense

DaRon Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys returns an interception for a touchdown while chased by Brian Robinson Jr. #8. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Cowboys: 5th, 190.9 YPG

Commanders: 31st, 259.3 YPG

Run Defense

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 20th, 116.3 YPG

Commanders: 25th, 126.5 YPG

Total Defense

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates a sack. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys: 8th, 307.2 YPG

Commanders: 32nd, 385.8 YPG

Penalties

A penalty flag rests on the field. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Cowboys: 31st, 59.0 YPG

Commanders: 6th, 41.4 YPG

3rd-Down Defense

The Washington Commanders defense stuffs the Philadelphia Eagles at the goal line. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

Cowboys: 16th, 38.31%

Commanders: 23rd, 40.74%

Turnover Margin

Cody Barton #57 of the Washington Commanders celebrates an interception with teammates. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Cowboys: +8

Commanders: -12 (last in the NFL)

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