ASHBURN, Va. — When Dan Quinn departed from his position as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys after three seasons, many viewed his decision to join the Washington Commanders as a shift from a playoff contender to a team in the midst of rebuilding.
However, the current standings suggest a surprising reversal, as Quinn’s Commanders are firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt despite a couple of recent setbacks. On the other hand, the Cowboys are languishing with a disappointing record of 3-7. This Sunday, Dallas will travel to Washington (7-4) in a matchup that resonates with unexpected dynamics for these NFC East rivals.
“For the guys and myself, it’s Washington-Dallas Week, let’s get to it,” Quinn stated. “I don’t elevate any game above the rest; each one is important, and we approach each contest with full effort.”
Quinn, along with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and several former Dallas players, has been instrumental in reshaping Washington’s performance, including key contributors like Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, and Noah Brown. Notably, Brown made headlines last month by catching a Hail Mary pass from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to secure a dramatic win against Chicago.
Armstrong, who left the Cowboys via free agency, commented on the Cowboys’ struggles, simply stating, “It’s not good.” This sentiment echoed after yet another tough loss, during which part of their stadium’s roof collapsed, contributing to their fifth consecutive defeat, a 34-10 loss to the Texans.
Injuries have plagued Dallas, most notably the torn hamstring that sidelined starting quarterback Dak Prescott, leading to his season-ending surgery. Coach Mike McCarthy, whose future hangs in the balance as his contract nears its conclusion, has indicated that the team will continue with the current roster and focus on making the most of it.
This requires Cooper Rush to step in for Prescott again, although McCarthy hinted at possibly introducing Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick from the 2021 draft, into the mix.
“Cooper has been with us long enough; he knows the system well,” Fowler remarked. “Trey is also an excellent athlete who brings a dynamic edge to the game. We can’t afford to underestimate our opponents; they play quality football.”
The disparity in performance this season has been stark, evidenced by the Commanders being favored by 10.5 points at BetMGM Sportsbook, marking their highest point spread against the Cowboys since at least 2003.
Dallas could be rejuvenated with the potential return of wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who has faced considerable adversity since his last appearance in Week 4.
“Our focus should be on elevating our play, enjoying ourselves, and having fun out there,” Cooks expressed. “That sense of enjoyment is something that’s been lacking lately. We have the potential to embrace a more joyful approach in our game.”
In contrast, Washington is thriving, with playoff aspirations still alive.
“It’s definitely refreshing to be on this side of the equation,” Fowler reflected. “It’s been great witness to Coach Quinn’s impact since arriving and how he has united this team to perform cohesively.”
In other developments, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was sidelined briefly with a rib injury during a previous game against Carolina, has been underwhelming since his recovery. The former LSU star and Heisman Trophy winner has seen a significant dip in both his passing and rushing performance.
Quinn is confident that Daniels is healthy, attributing his lower output to a lack of practice time. Following a mini bye week, Daniels feels rejuvenated.
“Having that extra time helped me reset and refocus in time for the second phase of the season,” Daniels explained.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ offensive line has faced substantial challenges, now compounded by injuries. Both right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith suffered ankle injuries during a recent game against the Texans, with neither player returning. Additionally, rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton reinjured his shoulder during the game.
With various injuries occurring, Asim Richards has stepped in for Guyton, and fellow replacements T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman are all newcomers to significant playtime, all under 25 years old. Veteran tackle Chuma Edoga might return this week, potentially bolstering their front.
“Losing Zack is tough; he’s a foundational piece for our line,” McCarthy acknowledged. “But this presents valuable opportunities for young players to gain experience.”
On the rushing front, McCarthy recently noted that the Cowboys took a “step backward” in their run game against Houston after showing improvements in the prior matches. With Rico Dowdle now the main ball carrier following Ezekiel Elliott’s struggles, he managed only 28 yards on ten carries, while the entire team finished with just 64 rushing yards.
The Cowboys’ defense, meanwhile, ranks among the league’s worst at stopping the run, which could play into the hands of Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr., who has already achieved a career-high seven rushing touchdowns this season.
“I’m always ready to carry the ball more,” Robinson stated confidently. “Whenever my number is called, I’m prepared to step up.”