Cowboys Look to End the Year on A High Note
In Week 18, the 11-5 Washington Commanders will visit the 7-9 Dallas Cowboys to close out the NFL regular season. This season the Commanders are 4-3 on the road and the Cowboys are 2-6 at home. The kickoff is slated for Sunday afternoon, January 5th at 1:00 p.m. EST on FOX. The Cowboys are currently 3.5 point underdogs, and the total is set at 45.5 points per ESPNBET.
Just over a month ago the Washington Commanders hosted the Dallas Cowboys in a wild game which the Cowboys ended up on top. Since that loss, the Commanders have sported a hot streak, winning four straight and clinching a playoff spot. At 11-5 the Commanders will either be the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC. They hold a tiebreaker over the Green Bay Packers who have an identical record as the Commanders. The only way the Packers can jump the Commanders is if the Packers beat the Chicago Bears in Week 18 and the Commanders fall to the Cowboys. With seeding on the line it gives this game meaning for Washington but for the Cowboys, not so much.
The Cowboys have had a well-documented down season and they were eliminated from playoff contention back in Week 16. Dan Quinn, the Cowboys former defensive coordinator from 2021-2023 is the current head coach of the Commanders and this will be his first time returning to Arlington since the Cowboys embarrassing blowout loss in the postseason just the year prior. The Cowboys have a chance to sweep the division rival and playoff contender Commanders to close out the regular season, which would be something great to look back on in a season where there are not many positives to find.
Led by Micah Parsons, the Cowboys defense will have to find a way to deter breakout star and Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Jayden Daniels from finding the success he’s had all season. Daniels was struggling with a rib injury during the last matchup with the Cowboys and you can bet he is looking to maximize his potential this week to ensure the higher seed for his squad. A win for the Cowboys will jolt them into an offseason with many uncertainties. With so much on the line it will be interesting to see which direction Jerry Jones takes his organization.
