The Washington Commanders (3-3) face the Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1) in an important NFC East battle in Week 7. How big a test will Sunday be for the Commanders‘ defense?

Commanders Defense

The Commanders are 26th in surrendering 5.7 yards per play on defense.

Making matters more difficult for the Commanders’ defense is the fact that they are tied with the Ravens for 30th in creating only three takeaways through six games.

Being 19th in first downs surrendered, opposing offenses are keeping the ball, and thus keeping the Commanders’ defense on the field too long.

Washington is 10th in having 117 passes completed against their defense. That is not bad, actually. However, the bad news is that they are 24th in passing yards they have surrendered (1,411). Thus, the Commanders are giving up 7.0 yards net yards per pass attempt, which is 27th in the NFL.

The Commanders have given up 70 passes for first downs, which is 21st, and 38 rushing first downs, for 16th.

46 defensive snaps, they have been penalized, which is the 11th most in the NFL through Week 6. Fortunately, it has only resulted in a first down for the opponents nine times, which is 27th.

40.3 percent of opponents’ offensive possessions have ended in a score against Washington’s defense, which is 17th in the NFL.

How does this matchup with the Commanders’ Week 7 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys offense?

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Cowboys Offense

The Cowboys are fourth in the NFL, averaging 6.0 yards per offensive play.

The Cowboys’ offense has turned the ball over six times, which ranks 15th in the NFL.

The Cowboys are second in the NFL with 140 first downs generated (second only to the Colts with 141).

Having completed the most passes in the NFL (167), the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott is having a very good season.

The Cowboys move the chains often, having the second-most completions for first downs, with 82.

Sporting the 27th lowest number of offensive penalties, also keeps the Cowboys offense on the field.

Nineteen times (1st in NFL) the Cowboys offense has been able to gain a first down with an opponent’s defensive penalty.

50.8 percent of Dallas’ offensive possessions have ended in a score.

The last three games QB Dak Prescott has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for a 127.4 passer rating with 11 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. In those games the Cowboys have averaged 34.7 points per game.

Tomorrow: The Commanders’ offense in how they match up against the Cowboys’ defense

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: How their defense compares to Cowboys offense