You can feel it in the air: fall has arrived, and the football season is in full swing. Another indicator of the season is when we see navy and maroon squaring off in a Cowboys–Commanders matchup.
It is arguably the most infamous NFL rivalry, and the next chapter in its history will be written tomorrow with this Week 7 showdown.
The Dallas-Washington matches this year will be especially interesting to watch, because both teams carry differing strengths and weaknesses. Dan Quinn may have brought players over with him, but these two squads are very different.
If you want any chance at having accurate expectations going into this battle, you’ll have to know how these two rosters differ, so let’s dig in.
1. The Weaponry: Wide Receiver Rooms On Opposite Ends
At first glance, you may think the Cowboys–Commanders wide receiver rooms match up well. Terry McLaurin and CeeDee Lamb leading their packs, with George Pickens and Deebo Samuel backing them up.
You’d be right, except this week.
Dallas is getting their best players back, with Lamb and KaVontae Turpin returning, while Washington will miss McLaurin from injury and potentially Samuel as well.
Commanders WR group at practice today. Does not include Deebo or Terry. Problematic pic.twitter.com/DkGSCiyX7R
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 16, 2025
While the Cowboys roll out a slew of star receivers and exciting depth pieces, the Commanders could have a wide receiver room headed by Luke McCaffery, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore.
Needless to say, these two will be very different in the wide receiver department this Sunday, even if Samuel manages to make it on the field.
2. The Front Seven: Linebacker Difference Could Decide The Game
We all know the Cowboys’ biggest weakness is their linebackers. In DeMarvion Overshown’s absence, the team has relied on Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Marist Liufau, and rookie Shemar James.
You don’t need me to tell you it hasn’t exactly gone well. Especially in the case of Murray and Sanborn, the two veterans have arguably been the worst players on the roster.
Washington cannot relate in the slightest. Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner, and Von Miller headline one of the strongest linebacking corps in the league.
Even in their elder age, these guys are as strong as it gets, and it presents a major mismatch for these two defenses.
Dallas must contain Washington’s linebackers and improve in some way on their end.
3. The Stars: Quarterbacks Far Apart In Background, Experience, & Style
Neither quarterback is a weakness, but they are as far apart as you can get as players.
Dak Prescott, 32, is one of the longest-tenured quarterbacks in football at this point. He’s seasoned, polished, and at this point, largely confined to passing rather than rushing.
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ 24-year-old star, is one of the youngest starters in the NFL. His game revolves around his dual-threat ability, rushing for over 1,000 yards already in just 21 career games.
These two, with all their differences, will ultimately decide who wins this game on Sunday.
4. The Leaders: Head Coaches Career Paths Clash
Lastly, we have the two head coaches who will lead their teams into battle tomorrow: Brian Schottenheimer and Dan Quinn.
The Cowboys’ new hire is a head coach for the first time in a coaching career that spans over two decades. Washington’s second-year man has been at the helm for over half a decade, including his time in Atlanta.
He’s also led Dallas and Seattle’s defenses in his long career, while “Schotty” has manned both of those teams’ offenses.
Their contrasting, yet similar career paths will clash for the very first time as head coaches on Sunday, and many eyes will be on who out-coaches who. If it is Schottenheimer, I’d expect a Cowboys’ victory over the Commanders.
