5 things to watch when the Cowboys host the Commanders in the season finale

It’s nearly over, people. Usually, that is the time of 12 months that brings out disappointment as a result of the lengthy dreadful offseason awaits. It is going to be eight months earlier than we see our beloved Dallas Cowboys play an everyday season soccer recreation. That’s a very long time.

Whereas the layoff brings sorrow, Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Washington Commanders will lastly put an finish to the distress that was the 2024 season. We are able to lastly shut it up, put a bow on it, and hope to by no means communicate of it once more. However earlier than that occurs, there’s another recreation to get via. Listed below are 5 issues to observe when the Cowboys face a division rival of their regular-season finale.

1. ROOM TO RUN

The Commanders are good at a number of issues, however stopping the run just isn’t one in every of them. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. introduced their run-stopping woes to Washington as their protection ranks within the backside 5 in speeding yards allowed per recreation (136.7). Their 4.8 yards allowed per try is the third-worst within the league. Thrice this season they’ve allowed greater than 200 yards speeding. The Commanders are vulnerable in opposition to the run as you see a number of the identical errors because the Cowboys had below Quinn. Defenders take dangerous angles, linebackers fill the flawed gaps, and sometimes gamers will get washed out of performs. The Cowboys may have room to run in opposition to them.

Rico Dowdle would love to complete the season sturdy. He reached the 1,000 mark final week which is loopy when you think about he’s had 12 or fewer carries in half the video games this season. Thankfully, he’s been using excessive as of late. He had his first profession 100-yard recreation on Thanksgiving and now has hit the century mark in 4 of his final 5 yards. Even along with his delayed utilization, Dowdle wants only one awful yard to provide the Cowboys’ highest speeding complete over the past 5 seasons. That’s insane.

2. ZACCHEAUS CAN BEAT US

The Cowboys’ cornerback group is banged up. Trevon Diggs, Caelan Carson, Amani Oruwariye, and Josh Butler are all out for the 12 months with season-ending accidents. DaRon Bland may have his palms full with the Commanders’ prime receiver, Terry McLaurin, and Jourdan Lewis ought to observe Jamison Crowder round within the slot. Which means Olamide Zaccheaus attracts the fortunate straw within the type of Andrew Sales space. Until you’ve got a brief reminiscence, you’ll keep in mind that Sales space was torched by DaVonte Smith final week.

Zaccheaus has come on sturdy over his final couple of video games. He now has the second-most yards of any Commanders vast receiver behind McLaurin because of his final two video games the place he’s compiled 12 complete catches, 155 yards, and three touchdowns. He has abruptly develop into a weapon for Jayden Daniels and also you higher consider he’ll be attacking Sales space early and sometimes.

3. LAST CHANCE FOR LANCE

There’s a number of consternation amongst Cowboys Nation concerning the use, or lack of use, of third-string quarterback Trey Lance. With nothing to play for, followers need to see him in motion. In any case, the staff paid the hefty value of a fourth-round choose for his companies, why not see what he can do?

Nicely, one motive is that they already know what he can do. If you happen to watched any preseason motion, you most likely do as properly. Lance just isn’t prepared and has a methods to go earlier than he might be something near a viable quarterback possibility. The Cowboys are most likely trying to retain him this offseason for reasonable. However proper now, they need to consider different gamers and there’s much more to realize by having a functioning quarterback on the sector than one who’s shaky, even when that quarterback is Cooper Rush. That stated, don’t be shocked if they provide Lance just a little little bit of motion within the second half.

4. AUBREY’S RECORD BREAKER

You already know the season has misplaced some which means whenever you sit and anticipate the kicker to interrupt the document for the longest area purpose in NFL historical past. However that’s the actuality for this fan because the stage has been set for Brandon Aubrey to say the prize that can inevitably belong to him.

Aubrey has a monster of a leg and the accuracy to go along with it. He’s been a present for the Cowboys after breaking on the scene final 12 months. We’ve got witnessed him launch booming kicks, main the league with 14 area objectives of fifty+ yards this season. Final week, he barely missed a 61-yarder when it bounced off the fitting upright, nevertheless it was manner up the upright which means it had the space to be a record-breaker. And that was exterior in Philadelphia. Give him another shot contained in the consolation of AT&T Stadium and he can do it. And don’t be shocked if the Cowboys even finagle just a little area positioning to set him up for the document.

5. CRAZY QUINN GAMES

Earlier than spending three years in Dallas, Dan Quinn additionally was the defensive coordinator in Seattle and the top coach in Atlanta. And now he’s the highest cheese in Washington the place he has helped them win 11 video games for the primary time in 33 years. That’s loopy.

What can also be loopy is among the video games the Cowboys have had in opposition to Quinn. No matter the place he’s at, wild issues have occurred. Every kind of bizarre stuff has occurred on particular groups and we’ve seen some wild finishes. Whereas this can be a meaningless recreation to Dallas, the Commanders are nonetheless taking part in for one thing, so don’t be shocked if the season ends in thrilling trend.