Cowboys bold predictions for NFC East showdown with Commanders

There was a time when the clash between Dallas and Washington meant everything in the NFC as these two glamor teams battled for NFC supremacy.

It’s been decades since Tom Landry lurked on the Cowboys’ sidelines and George Allen dreamed of postgame ice cream while coaching the then-Redskins. It was the Dallas-Washington battles that helped make the National Football League the world’s leading sports company.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has always respected the rivalry between the two teams, but now both teams are simply fighting for respectability — not conference supremacy.

The Cowboys (2-3-1) certainly looks like a competitive team from an offensive perspective this season. Quarterback Dak Prescott is healthy again and able to make big plays with his arm and has a great receiver in George Pickens. The former Steelers linebacker has come in and produced at a high level since CeeDee Lamb was injured earlier in the year.

The Commanders (3-3) are looking to build on their stellar season last year that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington is coming off a disappointing loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Head coach Dan Quinn’s team has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. They will try to find a way to a key division win in Dallas and a lot will depend on sophomore KB Jaiden Daniels.

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Prescott will throw for 250-plus yards with 2 TDs

Cowboys quarterback had a solid season after missing 26 games over a five-year span. It seems like the football gods have decreed that Prescott will have a healthy season in 2025, and the signal caller is taking advantage.

Prescott has shown exceptional accuracy this year, completing 164 of 229 passes for 71.6 percent completion. He has thrown for 1,617 yards and is averaging 7.1 yards per pass. He has a 13-3 TD-ratio which is far better than the 11-8 ratio he had a year ago.

The Cowboys know they have to protect Prescott if they want to succeed. Backup Joe Milton has a very strong arm and could do a competent job if he has to replace Prescott for a game or maybe two, but he doesn’t have Prescott’s leadership or big-play ability.

Prescott developed a solid relationship with Pickens. He has become the team’s top threat at the VR position, and has the skills to make tough catches in traffic and pass in the game’s biggest moments. He has 32 receptions for 524 yards and 6 touchdowns, and can get the best of Washington’s ordinary defense.

Tight end Jake Ferguson is a great complement to Pickens. He can make key catches on third downs and is a capable target in the red zone. Ferguson was targeted by the Cowboys quarterback 51 times, catching 44 passes for 305 yards and 4 TDs. Prescott is confident Ferguson will keep drives alive when he pitches to him in key third-down games.

The Cowboys defense will give up the big plays to Washington RB Jacora Croskey-Merritt

The Cowboys will need to produce on offense as their defense has been vulnerable. The Commanders committed several key turnovers against the Bears, including two fumbles by Croskey-Merritt

The rookie running back is strapped and determined not to let that happen again, and he’ll take his frustrations out on Dallas’ 29th-ranked run defense that’s giving up 142.2 yards per rush.

Crossey Merritt ran for 344 yards with an impressive 5.7 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns. The combination of his motivation and the Cowboys’ soft defense will allow Jacory Croskey-Merritt to run for 85 yards and at least 1 touchdown.

Brandon Aubrey’s big PK will mean the difference for the Cowboys

Washington’s Matt Gay was adequate, but not a star. He connected on 10 of 14 field goal attempts, with his long success going 56 yards. His 50-yard attempts still made him 4-of-7. He made all four of his kicks between 40 and 49 yards and missed none of his 16 extra points.

The Cowboys have perhaps the best player in the league. Brandon Aubrey appears to have the credentials for that title as he made all 12 of his FG attempts, including 3-of-3 from 40-49 yards and all 4 of his 50-plus attempts.

Even more impressive than his accuracy is his leg strength. He was successful on a 64-yard field goal this season, and could attempt a 70-yard 3-pointer before the end of the season.

The game will come down to a field goal and look for Aubrey to hit the game-winning shot in the final 30 seconds.