Cowboys vs Commanders Week 18: history, key players, projection

Cowboys vs Commanders: “Under the Radar” Players

Dallas Cowboys: T.Y. Hilton, WR

T.Y. Hilton has certainly made his presence felt in just two games with the Cowboys. He has shown an innate ability to garner trust with Dak Prescott. Hilton has played a big part in third down conversions and is providing a veteran leadership to the receiver room.

With James Washington being released, Hilton is squarely inserted into the third receiver slot behind CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. With this game being played on a sloppy surface, Lamb getting all the attention, and an inkling that the Cowboys try to ensure Gallup is healthy, Hilton could see a lot of action this Sunday afternoon.

This game could be the one where Hilton reels in his first touchdown with the ‘Boys that sparks even more of a connection with Prescott before the real games begin. His presence is big in this game but also moving forward as another threat for Dallas.

Washington Commanders: Sam Howell, QB

The obvious player to discuss for Washington is their new starting quarterback Sam Howell. He is a rookie quarterback out of the University of North Carolina that Washington selected in the fifth round.

His career as a Tar Heel was quite illustrious as he broke records throwing for 39 touchdowns in one season, totaled 10,283 passing yards in his career, and ended his time at UNC with 92 passing touchdowns. Howell has a bit of rushing ability as well. In his college career he ran for 1,0009 yards, 828 which came in his senior season, and 17 touchdowns.

Howell meets a Cowboys’ defense that has struggled with mobile quarterbacks at time this year such as the Bears’ Justin Fields and Texans’ Jeff Driskel. Look for his legs to play a part in this as he gets his feet wet in his first NFL start.