Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season is mercifully coming to an end, but there is one game left to play first. The Washington Commanders, led by Dan Quinn and rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, have already clinched the playoffs but need to win this game to move up to the sixth seed.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have nothing left to play for, and all signs point to Trey Lance getting significant reps in this game. Unsurprisingly, they’re a 6.5-point underdog despite playing at home. Do any of our writers believe they can pull off one final surprise win?

When Washington has the ball

Contain Jayden Daniels

Easier said than done, as Jayden Daniels has not only been the best rookie quarterback but one of the best quarterbacks overall this year. Going into this final week of games, Daniels ranks fifth in EPA/play, fourth in QBR, and eighth in CPOE. Perhaps most shocking is how mistake-averse Daniels has been: only Lamar Jackson, currently second in MVP odds, has a lower turnover worthy play rate.

The Cowboys are one of the few defenses that have flustered Daniels, though. He threw two interceptions and was sacked four times, and his -0.26 EPA/play was the second-worst single-game metric Daniels has put up all year. It seems Mike Zimmer knows how to face off against Daniels, but there’s no guarantee that the quarterback won’t have an answer for Zimmer’s curveballs this time around.

When Dallas has the ball

Feed Rico (or whoever is running the ball)

The last time these teams met, Rico Dowdle carried the ball 19 times for 86 rushing yards, both of which set new personal bests for him. He immediately topped it with three straight 100+ yard rushing performances, and another this past week put Dowdle over 1,000 for the year.

It’s possible Dowdle doesn’t play in this one, as the Cowboys might prioritize reps for younger players like Deuce Vaughn or Hunter Luepke. Either way, Washington still struggles mightily against the run, tied with Dallas for third-most yards per carry allowed. No other team has allowed more yards before contact per attempt, either. Whoever is running the ball, Dallas should rely heavily on their ground game in this one.

Now onto the predictions from your BTB writers…

Tom Ryle (10-6):

I think the tank is still empty for the Cowboys. They have nothing but pride to play for, and that’s just not enough.

I’ll take the Commanders winning 31-13.

Matt Holleran (10-6):

The Dallas Cowboys season from hell is mercifully coming to an end on Sunday. Washington still has something to play for in this game and the Cowboys do not. If the Commanders win, they guarantee themselves the six seed in the NFC playoffs. I don’t see Washington letting that opportunity slip through their hands against a Cowboys team that is ready for this season to be over.

Give me the Commanders, 26-20.

Jess Haynie (11-5):

Washington has declared they’re playing to win, wanting to hold on to the sixth seed. While the Cowboys did upset them back in Week 11, we saw last week just how stymied this offense is without CeeDee Lamb. The motivation factor is going to be so uneven in this one between the two teams that I just can’t imagine Dallas doing it again.

Commanders 34, Cowboys 19.

Mike Poland (9-7):

It’s the final game and Dallas needs to be experimental with their roster, and it’s more than likely that they will be. Whispers are Trey Lance will plat a lot and some elevations from the practice squad look inevitable. With that in mind it’s not about the final result as such for the Cowboys but more about seeing what down roster guys have to offer.

Cowboys lose their final game at home 30-17.

Dana Bartholomew (12-4):

The Commanders have already clinched a wild card spot in the playoffs but they still have something to play for in that sixth seed. While I do think that there is a real possibility the Cowboys will be able to hang in and make it tough for the Commanders, I’m not sure that it will be enough to play upset this week.

They might be too deflated from last Sunday’s the loss to the Eagles to bounce back. I think the Cowboys end the season at 7-10 and the Commanders head to the post-season with the sixth seed, a fitting end to a very rough season.

Commanders win, 28-20.

Brian Martin (10-6):

This could be somewhat of a revenge game for the Commanders after the way they lost earlier in the season to the Cowboys. Not only that they are preparing for the playoffs and want to finish the year out strong.

Because of that, I’ll take Washington 23-9.

RJ Ochoa (12-4):

Thankfully this season is just about over for the Cowboys. I truly cannot recall one that was so demoralizing for the fanbase as a whole. Whatever the case, I think that Dallas plays with that sort of spirit and that Washington wins and takes the #6 seed.

Give me the Commanders, 27-19.

David Howman (10-6):

It certainly seems like we’re going to get plenty of Trey Lance in this one, and I don’t think that’s a good thing for the Cowboys. Unless you’re looking for a better draft pick, of course. The Cowboys have already proven capable of beating Washington, but I’m not sure they have the same level of effort at this point.

I do think we’ll see another stout game on defense, as Zimmer had Jayden Daniels’ head spinning last time these teams met. However, I’m not sure the offense will be enough to score points consistently. I see Lance taking some bad sacks and throwing a really bad interception to seal the deal in a low scoring affair.

Commanders win, 17-10.