Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys (11-5) wrap up their regular season on Sunday as they travel to FedEx Field to take on the Washington Commanders (4-12). Before the two teams square off, here are three bold predictions for the matchup.

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1) Dak Prescott combines to score four total touchdowns, capping off an MVP-caliber regular season

The 2023 Washington Commanders’ defense has been abysmal. Washington has given up the most yards (6.172) and points per game (30) in the league and has not given up less than 27 points in a game since Week 9. The Commanders’ defense also leads the league in touchdown passes allowed (35) and they are bottom three in NY/A (6.9), and passing yards allowed (4,148).

In recent years one thing the Commanders’ defense always excelled at was getting after the quarterback. That has not been the case this season. Washington has just 39 sacks on the year, tied for the fourth-fewest in football. After trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young, Washington’s lack of pass rush has been alarming. The Commanders have recorded three sacks in their last five games, with all three coming in their Week 15 matchup against the Rams.

Four of Washington’s last five opponents have gone through their matchup without allowing a single sack. Not coincidentally, those teams have averaged 36 points per game over those four games. Dallas’ offense, in particular Dak Prescott and the passing game, should have a field day on Sunday against this dreadful defense.

Prescott scores four total touchdowns as he pads his stats on an MVP-caliber season.

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2) Cowboys intercept Sam Howell twice as the 23-year-old finishes the season with 21 interceptions

Sam Howell’s first season as a starter in the NFL has not gone great. The 23-year-old has shown some playmaking ability, throwing for 20 touchdown passes and 3,793 passing yards, but has been far too reckless with the football.

Currently, Howell leads the league with 19 interceptions on the year. Josh Allen, who is second, has just 16, so it’s almost certain Howell will finish the year with the most of any quarterback in football.

Surprisingly, if you dive a little deeper you’ll see Howell is pretty lucky to have just 19 INTs on the season. According to Playerprofiler, the signal-caller has the most interceptable passes (31) in the league and second-most danger plays (35) of any quarterback. Howell easily could have four or five more interceptions if some bounces went the other way.

Dallas’ defense will be able to take advantage of Howell’s recklessness and make him pay for some mistakes. For the second straight week, the Cowboys record two interceptions as their defense shows off their playmaking ability.

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3) Two Cowboys score their first touchdowns of the season

This game is going to be very similar to Dallas’ regular-season finale against the Eagles back in 2021. In that game, the Cowboys scored 51 points and five different Cowboys scored touchdowns.

While the Cowboys may not put up a 50-burger on Sunday, they are going to have tons of offensive success. With a lead in the second half, Dallas will turn to some of their reserves and two players will have a chance to score their first touchdown of the season. Jalen Brooks and Peyton Hendershot both find the end zone for the first time this year as the Cowboys cap off their regular season with a blowout win.