After a disappointing performance against the New York Giants last Sunday, where the defense couldn't get off the field and the 28-20 final score didn't feel that close, the Dallas Cowboys' attention will now shift to another intra-divisional rival, the Washington Commanders. It's a game the team cannot afford to lose to start the season 0-2.
The Commanders will arrive at AT&T Stadium coming off a close 24-22 loss to the Eagles. They are feeling the same pressure that Dallas faces, looking to avoid losing two in a row to start the season.
They will be led by dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels and a very experienced pair of wideouts who know how to get open.
Washington has been watching the tape of the Cowboys' substandard defensive effort all week and will look to attack similarly at 3:25 on Sunday. This is a very winnable game for Dallas, so let's put a spotlight on three keys to victory.
3 keys to a Cowboys victory over the Commanders in Week 2
1. Keep Jayden Daniels in the pocket
Similar to last week with Jaxson Dart and the Giants, Jayden Daniels has the ability to use his legs to extend plays. He is one of the best scrambling quarterbacks in the NFL, and if the Cowboys' front seven don't do a better job keeping him in the pocket, they will have a tough time winning this game.
He will run whenever the protection breaks down, and he does it extremely effectively. In Week 1, he was held to just 31 yards on 5 carries. The Cowboys need to replicate those numbers.
It will be yet another tough test for the Cowboys' linebackers, along with Caleb Downs and the secondary. They did a terrible job of containing Dart and the Giants' unorthodox attack in the season- opening loss, and will struggle again if they don't maintain their assignments.
Christian Parker has to be better at getting the unit in the proper pre-snap looks.
2. Prepare for two veteran WRs who are both terrific route runners
Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs have a combined 20 seasons of NFL football under their belt. There isn't much that these two haven't seen in terms of man and zone coverage. Clearly, the guys on the back end like Cobie Durant, DaRon Bland, Caleb Downs, and Jalon Thompson have to be better than they were last week.
McLaurin and Diggs may be a tick older than what the secondary saw in New Jersey, but they are master route runners and know exactly where the holes in coverage are. Diggs may be the best chain-moving pass-catcher the league has seen in the last 25 years.
Don't think that either of these guys has lost a step, or you will be staring at the back of their jerseys. The Eagles provided a blueprint for containing McLaurin last week, as he had only two catches for 14 yards.
3. Exploit the Commanders defense with big plays
In their loss to the Eagles last Sunday, the Commanders' defense gave up several big plays that cost them.
Jalen Hurts hooked up with Dontayvion Wicks for a 64-yard bomb that set up a score. They also had Philly on a 3rd-and-18, only to allow a 22-yard rush to Hurts. On the next play, Hurts hit tight end Dallas Goedert for a 43-yard touchdown.
The Commanders are breaking in rookie linebacker Sonny Styles and can be vulnerable to the quick strike, big play. Especially now that green-dot linebacker Frankie Luvu has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys have to get CeeDee Lamb more involved, and George Pickens needs to hold onto the football if they want to take advantage of a suspect Commanders defense that gave up 20 first downs last week.
Goedert had a huge day, reeling in four catches for 77 yards and two TDs. Schotty would be wise to get Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford involved early and test to see if the Commanders have shored up that weakness this week.
Add us as a preferred source on Google