Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders: Know Thy Enemy
What We’ve Seen from Commanders and Possible Defensive Game Plan Against Cowboys
Opponents’ Points Per Game: 21.1
Opponents’ Passing Yards Per Game: 195.9
Opponents’ Rushing Yards Per Game: 116.4
Opponents’ Total Yards Per Game: 312.3
Opponents’ Third Down Conversion Percentage: 32.8%
Opponents’ Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 51.0%
Commanders Defensive Strategy vs Cowboys
The Commanders’ defense has been really the only bright spot for this team all season by keeping them in games with a struggling offense. If they want to have a chance to beat the Cowboys they are going to need big games out of everyone on that defensive line who is healthy enough to play on Sunday. The firepower that the Cowboys have will give them fits in both the running game and passing game if they can’t.
The Commanders defense gave up 146 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns to Deshaun Watson in the second half ... on just six completions.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) January 1, 2023
The two main players they need to show up though are Chase Young and Jonathan Allen who is currently dealing with a knee injury. If they can control the line of scrimmage and put pressure on Dak Prescott they might be able to force him into bad throws and force turnovers. If they aren’t able to then look for the Cowboys to pick this defense apart all day long.
Cowboys Offensive Strategy vs Commanders
If the Cowboys want to have a chance at the NFC East title then they need to win and to do that they will need Dak Prescott and his receivers to be careful with the football. Many have been blaming Prescott’s rash of interceptions solely on him, but his receivers are also to blame for not securing the football. If Dallas can limit the turnovers and not give the Commanders’ defense confidence and their offense more opportunities they will win this game.
Reviewed tape of Cowboys’ offense vs Titans for second time. Dak Prescott made a bunch of really good throws. A bunch. And that was with zero running game.
— Babe Laufenberg (@BabeLaufenberg) January 2, 2023
The Cowboys are also going to want to protect their running backs so they may start airing the football out, especially against this talented defensive front of the Commanders. Use the Commanders’ aggressive defensive front to their advantage by hitting screen passes to tight ends and running backs to slow the pass rush. Draw the secondary and linebackers in and then start hitting them over the top with Michael Gallup and T.Y. Hilton. A simple plan that should be easy to execute.
