LANDOVER, Md. — In a heartbreaking conclusion to their latest matchup, the Washington Commanders fell to the Dallas Cowboys, marking their third consecutive defeat. The game was marred by two kickoff return touchdowns and a missed extra point in the closing minutes, adding to the frustration for a team that has struggled in recent weeks.
The root of their ongoing difficulties is more complex than just the ending of this game. Washington’s offense, which had been thriving earlier in the season with the impressive play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, managed only nine points and totaled 169 yards over the first three quarters against the Cowboys. As they faced a 20-9 deficit, they finally found their rhythm against a more conservative Cowboys defense.
“We just couldn’t really get it going,” commented receiver Terry McLaurin, whose late long touchdown catch somewhat overshadowed a meager stat line of three catches for 16 yards at that point in the game. “We’ve got to find a way to start faster and sustain drives. It’s everyone’s responsibility, from the coaching staff to the offensive players, to figure out how we can maintain drives and keep ourselves on the field.”
Unfortunately for Washington, this has been an ongoing theme. In a recent home loss to Pittsburgh, they garnered a season-low 242 yards, only to follow it up with a mere 264 yards in a defeat to Philadelphia. Since returning from an injury, Daniels has seen his completion rate dip to just under 61%, down from an impressive 75.6% in his first seven games.
Despite assertions from Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn that injuries aren’t to blame, the coaching staff pointed fingers at inadequate practice time. However, even with a full week of preparation leading into the Dallas game, the issues persisted.
It raises the question of whether opposing teams are finally deciphering offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s strategies. “Teams are starting to see what works against us and are trying to adapt those tactics into their game plans,” Daniels said following a lackluster performance of 12 completions in 22 attempts for 80 yards during the first three quarters. “We have been facing a lot of long third downs lately, which leads to increasingly complex pressures. We must improve on first and second downs to keep ourselves in better positions.”
Indeed, the numbers support Daniels’ claims. Over their past seven games, the Commanders have converted only 36% of their third down opportunities, a sharp decline from the 52% conversion rate they achieved in their first five games of the season.
The upcoming matchup with Tennessee poses further challenges. Although currently at 3-8, the Titans boast the second-best third-down defense in the NFL at 31.6%.
One positive note for Washington was the performance of their defense, which managed to keep the Cowboys to just 10 points until the fourth quarter. They faced additional strain following a turnover that placed Dallas at the Washington 44-yard line. The defenders were on the field for over 35 minutes, contributing to their exhaustion as the game wore on.
Another area that requires immediate attention is the running game, which had previously supported the team’s strong start to the season. Injuries to top back Brian Robinson Jr. have significantly impacted their effectiveness. Although Daniels rushed for 74 yards on seven attempts, the other running backs contributed only 57 yards combined.
“The running game needs to be effective to keep the defense honest,” Daniels said. “We have to execute the plays called, and unfortunately, we didn’t do that well.”
On a positive note, linebacker Frankie Luvu has been a standout player, making a case for being the best free-agent signing for first-year general manager Adam Peters. He, along with fellow free agent Bobby Wagner, tied for a team-high eight tackles, with Luvu also defending three passes against Dallas.
On the downside, kicker Austin Seibert struggled, missing crucial attempts including a potential game-tying extra point in the final seconds. He also came up short on a long field goal attempt, tallying three misses in total. Since joining the team, he had been successful on 25 of 27 field goal attempts and 22 of 22 on extra points before this game.
Injuries continue to pile up for the Commanders, with Robinson dealing with a sprained ankle and running back Austin Ekeler recovering from a concussion sustained during a kick return that required hospitalization. Quinn indicated that both Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are currently in concussion protocol, and Robinson’s status for the next game remains uncertain, which could lead Chris Rodriguez Jr. to see increased playing time.
The Commanders still haven’t had cornerback Marshon Lattimore participate since acquiring him at the trade deadline due to a hamstring injury. His return would be timely, given the need for bolstered secondary play against players like Calvin Ridley, who recently recorded a substantial receiving performance against the Texans.
A noteworthy stat from the last matchup is the 17 rush attempts made for running backs, a significant drop compared to what the team had previously been doing at this point in the season.
Looking ahead, the Commanders cannot afford to underestimate the Titans, especially with their bye week looming shortly after this game. Initially favored by more than a touchdown, betting odds adjusted to a 5.5-point margin after recent outcomes.