Keys to Victory: 3 things the Cowboys must do to secure a victory in Washington

The Dallas Cowboys get the chance to earn their first victory over former DC Dan Quinn’s bunch in just a few short hours from now when they take on their division rival, the Washington Commanders.

Washington has surprised us all this season by playing good football under the tutelage of new HC Dan Quinn. Quinn has his young team playing fast and physical, and the team has embraced it, jumping out to a 7-4 record for the season.

The Cowboys can spoil that record and the Commanders’ hopes for a division title, but first, they will have to accomplish three things that can help them get on the fast track to victory over Washington.

Contain Jayden Daniels

This is not the first time that we will see the Cowboys face off versus a Commanders team led at quarterback by a rookie who has taken the NFL by storm. You might remember a fellow by the name of Robert Griffin III, who quarterbacked the Washington Redskins in 2012.

Dallas’ first meeting against Griffin did not end well for them, and I mentioned as such in my article from yesterday, detailing how the Cowboys cannot let history repeat itself 12 years later.

Daniels has the speed to escape the pocket and get out on the edge. The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run this season, but have been especially vulnerable on the edges.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that their top four defensive ends on the depth chart have been injured for most of the season. Micah Parsons returned last week, and Marshawn Kneeland might return from injury in time to face these Commanders.

Establish a Rushing Attack

We have witnessed one of the poorest rushing attacks in recent memory for the Dallas Cowboys. First, they couldn’t decide on how to divide carries between Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott.

Head coach and play-caller Mike McCarthy has not been able to find a rhythm in the running back rotation, but there seems to be a changing of the guard over the past couple of games.

Elliott’s carries have been drastically reduced since McCarthy told us that Dowdle is the lead back, and the Cowboys will no longer attempt to make their backfield a running back by committee.

Dowdle leads the team in rushing, and he displays burst and acceleration that is not visible with Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, or Dalvin Cook. Dallas needs to get Dowdle the football early and often so he can get into a rhythm.

The Cowboys also need to make sure they get creative in their run schemes. RG Zack Martin has been ruled OUT of the game with injury, and LG Tyler Smith is not playing at 100% either.

Get Dowdle on the edge where he can better utilize his speed instead of trying to pound the football into the teeth of the defense. The Cowboys have not been winning those one-one-one matchups at the point of attack.

Force Multiple Turnovers

Even if the Cowboys were to accomplish the first two keys to victory, their play this season suggests that it won’t be enough. The defense is going to have to force some turnovers to keep Daniels and the potent Commanders’ offense off of the field.

By containing Daniels and forcing him to throw from the pocket, the chances of him making a poor read increase if they can also generate a pass rush. Micah Parsons will be licking his chops to get into the backfield and take down Daniels before he can use his legs to escape.

I can see some of DC Mike Zimmer’s blitzes getting home with either Parsons or DeMarvion Overshown, and if either of them can knock the ball loose or disrupt Daniels’ throwing motion, the defense has a chance for multiple turnovers.

Prediction

If the Cowboys can accomplish the keys to victory mentioned above, they will have a chance to win the game and further spoil the Commanders’ record for the season, and their hopes for a division title.

Unfortunately, I think the defense can get the job done, but the offense will continue to struggle unless McCarthy gets very creative and incorporates some things that he has yet to show on film this year.

I don’t foresee such a change, and Cowboys fans will be forced to watch their sixth consecutive loss.

Cowboys 19
Commanders 30