The NFL playoffs have not been kind to the Dallas Cowboys. That culminated Saturday night when Dan Quinn's Washington Commanders upset the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Despite being +8.5 underdogs, Quinn's team led comfortably throughout the second half. A grotesque Jared Goff performance, which included a pick-six in the second quarter and three other turnovers, set the stage for the upset. Quinn had his players ready for the moment and they seized every bit of it.
RELATED: Adam Schefter all but confirms Cowboys fans' dream HC hire won't happen
With the victory, the Cowboys now own the longest NFC Championship Game drought in the conference. That it came at the hands of Quinn is nightmare fuel for Dallas fans.
What makes it harder to stomach is that former Cowboys Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Tyler Biadasz and Noah Igbinoghene all played a role in the win. You can all but guarantee that Quinn will recruit more Dallas free agents this offseason.
One Cowboys star may already be angling to join Washington.
Cowboys star Jourdan Lewis takes notice of Dan Quinn's playoff success
Jourdan Lewis, arguably the team's most important free agent this offseason, spoke for all of Cowboys Nation after Quinn's triumph.
No way DQ left and immediately did this.
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) January 19, 2025
It's hard to believe, but he sure did.
It all started with a change in ownership. Lifelong Washington Football fan Josh Harris bought the team after Dan Snyder was forced out. Harris green-lighted an offseason spending spree and Quinn and general manager Adam Peters absolutely crushed it.
Selecting Jayden Daniels second overall was enormous. Daniels is in the midst of arguably the best season from a rookie quarterback in NFL history. He is already a top-10 player at the position. That's not debatable. Rookies don't make conference championship games.
What is so scary about Daniels' rookie year is this will probably be the worst supporting cast of his career. The Commanders will have over $70 million in cap space this offseason. Star free agents like Tee Higgins will absolutely want to play with Daniels and for a coach like Quinn.
Beyond Daniels, Washington also brought in linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Both players were All-Pros this year. They also signed safety Jeremy Chinn, who had over 100 tackles, and grizzled vets Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz. Rookie second-round pick Mike Sainristil had an excellent year one and intercepted Jared Goff twice on Saturday.
A year ago the Commanders were 4-13, had the worst defense in football and the 23rd-ranked offense. After a change in ownership, the right hire at head coach, a killer free agency and a strong draft class, they are one win away from the Super Bowl.
It can happen that quick for Dallas if Jerry Jones wakes up. If he doesn't, he'll risk losing the heartbeat of the team's secondary and an invaluable locker room presence.
Lewis is on the record saying he wants to continue playing in Dallas, but we find it hard to believe the front office will pay up to keep him around. If that happens, it is easy to envision Quinn handing him a blank check to star in his replenished defense.