Clarence Hill: Why Dallas Cowboys have the edge, everything to play for vs. Commanders
The Dallas Cowboys (12-4) and Washington Commanders (7-9) are heading into Sunday’s game with diverging interest.
Washington is out of the playoffs and is looking to finish out the season.
For the Cowboys, it’s about building momentum for the playoffs and hoping for a chance at NFC East title.
The Cowboys need a win and loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Giants for that to happen.
“We’ve got to win,” Prescott said. “The focus first and foremost is to win, play well, and build momentum. And if we win the division title that’s not necessarily up to us at this point. We’ve just got to go in and take care of our business.”
The Eagles and Giants play at the same time but there will be no scoreboard watching.
The focus will be on Washington.
That’s enough for receiver CeeDee Lamb, who refuses to pay attention to the multiple playoff scenarios the Cowboys are facing because it causes him stress.
“Them damn things stress me out,” Lamb said. “I’m going to be honest I don’t pay too much attention to the scenarios because if it was meant for us, it’d be for us.”
Why Cowboys have the edge, everything to play for vs. Commanders:
Cowboys offense vs Commanders defense
The Washington defense is solid. It allowed less than 24 points 13 times this season, the most in the NFL. So this won’t be a final game cakewalk for the Cowboys. But Washington has allowed more than 300 yards in four of the last five games. This is about the Cowboys finding some continuity on the offensive line and quarterback Dak Prescott playing turnover-free football. Running back Tony Pollard will be back in the lineup and and looking to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. He is 12 yards away.
Edge: Cowboys
Cowboys defense vs. Commanders offense
Washington has talented skill position players, namely receivers Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin. And the Cowboys have a tendency to give up chunk plays while continuing to struggle against the run. The good news for the Cowboys is that running back Brian Robinson has been ruled out. The biggest wild card is rookie quarterback Sam Howell, who will be overmatched in his first start of the season. Micah Parsons is healthy and the Cowboys pass rush will harass Howell.
Edge: Cowboys
Special Teams
Two of the four players Washington put in the Pro Bowl are punter Tress Way and special teams demon Jeremy Reaves. Both will need to be up to the task in container dangerous Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin, who should be good to go after missing practice on Thursday with an illness. Cowboys kicker Brett Maher has 137 points this season, which leads the NFL and is a franchise record for most points in a season
Edge: Cowboys
Coaching
Washington is starting their eighth quarterback in three years under Ron Rivera and are a good bet to have back-to-back seven-win seasons. He may not return.
Mike McCarthy has Cowboys with back-to-back 12-win seasons for first time since 1994-1995 and looking tie a franchise record with a 13th win.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
The Cowboys have a chance to win the NFC East title. Washington is playing for pride and the future.
Edge: Cowboys
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Commanders 10
This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
