Cowboys vs Commanders Week 18: history, key players, projection
By Riley Donald
Cowboys fans, Week 18 is here and the finale of the NFL regular season has arrived. On one hand, it is a sad day as football season is nearing its’ end. On the other hand, the playoffs are just around the corner and things are about to get very exciting.
The Dallas Cowboys travel to take on the Washington Commanders this week in an NFC East matchup that has implications for the Cowboys regarding playoff seeding. Washington is eliminated from the playoffs and have a merry-go-round at the quarterback position amongst a franchise in complete and utter disarray. Signs are pointing to a new face getting his very first NFL start.
The Cowboys have an outside shot at the No. 1 seed if a few things break their way but their best bet to move up in seeding is if the New York Giants can upset the Philadelphia Eagles and help them capture the NFC East crown. Both games kickoff at 3:25pm CT so there will undoubtedly be eyes keeping track of scores.
Cowboys vs Commanders: History, key matchups, and prediction
Cowboys vs Commanders: Matchup History
All-time Record: 76-47-2 in favor of the Dallas Cowboys (2-0 playoff record in favor of the Washington Commanders
Most recent result: Dallas Cowboys 25, Washington Commanders 10 on October 2, 2022
Earlier this year saw the Cowboys handle the Commanders with Cooper Rush playing quarterback. That can’t bode well for them with Dak Prescott playing now and lighting up scoreboards since his return from injury. Washington is shuffling quarterbacks in what could be somewhat of an audition for their future at the position. It appears rookie Sam Howell is getting the call to see what he is made of.
#Commanders coach Ron Rivera announces that rookie QB Sam Howell will start this Sunday vs. the #Cowboys. Makes plenty of sense to take a look at the future.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2023
In what is a truly meaningless game for the Commanders, their offense could be up and down. The Cowboys defense could desperately use another week of getting things tuned up before they find out their fate of who they meet in the playoffs. Meeting a rookie quarterback in his first start is a bit of fate as the Cowboys played with their backup last time and now face Washington’s.