NFL Week 18: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders Game Preview

Commanders stadium
"File:FedExField01.jpg" by Bernard Gagnon is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to travel to FedEx Field to take on the Washington Commanders in a week 18 divisional matchup. The Cowboys come into the game with a record of 12-4 and currently sit in second place in the NFC East. They are only one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the division. If the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose this week, it could cause a last minute shift in the conference standings that could land even land Dallas the top seed in the conference. On the flip side, the Commanders enter the contest with a record of 7-8-1. Despite this, if they are able to pull off an upset this week against the Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers are defeated by the Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks are taken down by the Los Angeles Rams, they will sneak into the playoffs and clinch the final wildcard spot in the NFC. However, if even one of those three things do not go the Commanders’ way, they will be eliminated from playoff contention. With there being a lot on the line for both teams in this game on top of it being a divisional matchup, this could end up being one of the better games to watch this week. While Dallas is a bit more talented on paper, Washington has done a remarkable job this season of elevating and playing to the level of their opponent. 

Dallas Cowboys Look to Potentially Win NFC East With a Week 18 Win

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a 27-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys benefitted from Tennessee being forced to bench Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry due to injuries. Without two of the most important players on their offense, the Titans stood little chance. Dallas still put together a respectable performance, however, as the playoffs get closer and closer it is important that quarterback Dak Prescott begins to focus on limiting his turnovers. 

The Cowboys took care of business the last time they played the Commanders, winning by a final score of 25-10. With Dallas being one of the top teams in the NFC this season, they should not have too much trouble sweeping the season series against Washington. 

Washington Commanders Hope to Hold Onto Final Wildcard Spot With Win

Last week, the Washington Commanders were taken down by the Cleveland Browns by a final score of 7-8-1. While they still have a chance of making the playoffs, this was a game that they needed to win. With their backs against the wall, the Commanders have no other choice but to play one of their best games of the season if they want a chance of seeing the postseason this year. 

Their defensive unit will have to take a big step up this week and find a way to slow down Dallas’s elite balanced offensive attack. With the Cowboys being a team that can beat you through the air or on the ground, this could end up being a very tall task. Despite this, they are more than capable of taking this game and have beaten better teams than the Cowboys already this season.