Cowboys vs Commanders Week 4: history, key players, projection

Cowboys vs Commanders: “Under the Radar” Players

Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Wilson, Safety

Washington Commanders: Curtis Samuel, WR

Don’t look now, but Donovan Wilson is Dallas’s leading tackler through the first three games of the season. He also has an interception, a sack, and two pass breakups to his name so far. Wilson has been finding a way to be around the ball this year and it seems only a matter of time before he becomes more well-known and talked about.

Wilson could play a large part in this matchup and that is due to a mixture of himself and the matchup he is seeing. Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz has three interceptions this year and a tendency to put the ball at risk on offense. In his career, Wentz has taken 17 sacks against Dallas in eight games.

Wilson could be a big factor in multiple facets this week. His ability to intercept the ball has been shown by picking off Tom Brady in the season opener. He could also play a factor if Wentz takes off or holds the ball too long as he likes to do. Don’t be surprised if Wilson is a force in causing at least one turnover this Sunday.

Terry McLaurin is Washington’s WR1 and has performed like it up to this point in the season. After him, Curtis Samuel has found something this year, too. Not only is he second in receiving yards, but he also leads the Commanders in receptions and maybe most importantly, has been targeted the most. Samuel has nine more targets than anyone else.

The WR2 has also been used in the run game eight times for 51 yards. His versatility will test the lateral ability of the Cowboys’ defense. In the passing game, the Dallas secondary will have their hands full with McLaurin and that should see a steady dose of Trevon Diggs. Anthony Brown will be called upon this week against Washington’s smaller, speedy receiving group.