3 key matchups Dallas must exploit vs Washington

The NFC East race is heating up, and Sunday’s clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders carries major early season implications.

The winner will move into sole possession of second place behind the defending division champion Philadelphia Eagles, a crucial position as the season nears its midpoint.

The Cowboys enter the game at 3-3, struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball. Their defense, once considered elite, has been gashed all season by mobile quarterbacks and explosive plays.

Offensively, Dak Prescott and company have been brilliant, but stalled in critical moments last week at Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Commanders sit with a 3-3 record under HC Dan Quinn after a narrow 25-24 loss to Caleb Williams and the Bears last Monday night.

As with most divisional games, this one will come down to matchups, and three, in particular, could determine whether Dallas can stay afloat in the playoff picture or slide further into mediocrity.

Cowboys’ LBs vs Jayden Daniels

The Cowboys have been haunted by mobile quarterbacks all season.

Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia and Justin Fields in Chicago both burned Dallas with timely scrambles and designed runs that extended drives and deflated the defense.

Now, they face perhaps their biggest test yet: the speedy and shifty Jayden Daniels.

Daniels’ speed and improvisational ability make him one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

He’s already rushed for over 176 yards this season in just 4 games, often turning broken plays into highlight runs.

Dallas linebackers Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, and Shemar James must stay disciplined and react quickly. If they lose containment or over-pursue, Daniels will make them pay.

For a Cowboys defense already struggling to tackle and maintain gap integrity, this matchup could define the game.

Terence Steele vs Dorance Armstrong

When Dan Quinn left Dallas to take the Washington job, he didn’t go alone. One of his key defensive pieces, Dorance Armstrong, followed him, and he’s thriving.

Armstrong leads the Commanders with 5.5 sacks, ranking fifth in the league. His familiarity with the Cowboys’ players only adds to the challenge.

RT Terence Steele has been inconsistent in his career, alternating between solid games and disastrous outings where Prescott is constantly under siege. This can’t be one of those games.

If Steele struggles to handle Armstrong’s blend of speed and power, it could cripple the Cowboys’ passing attack before it even gets going.

With the Dallas defense already unpredictable, the offense must protect Prescott and sustain drives to keep Washington’s defense honest.

Cowboys’ Secondary vs Deebo Samuel

With star receiver Terry McLaurin sidelined by injury, Washington’s offensive spotlight shifts to Deebo Samuel, a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere on the field.

His combination of strength, vision, and explosiveness makes him a nightmare for defenses to contain.

The Cowboys’ secondary, however, faces added adversity.

CB Trevon Diggs has been ruled out with a mysterious concussion reportedly sustained at home, leaving more pressure on DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, and the safeties to keep things tight in coverage.

Samuel thrives on yards after the catch, so tackling will be critical. Missed assignments or poor angles could turn short passes into long touchdowns.

Divisional matchups are always about execution and composure, and this one is no different.

The Cowboys must win these key battles against Daniels’ legs, Armstrong’s rush, and Samuel’s versatility if they want to keep pace in the NFC East race.

Otherwise, Washington might just leapfrog them for good.