5 things to know about the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 17 opponent, the Washington Commanders

Washington endured an eight‑game winless streak before finally beating the New York Giants on December 14, a team that had also dropped nine straight.

That stretch exposed the Commanders’ biggest problem: a defense that has unraveled under head coach Dan Quinn.

Washington sits near the bottom of the league in virtually every major defensive category, including yards allowed, points allowed, and explosive plays surrendered.

Here are five things to know about the Cowboys’ Week 17 opponent, the Washington Commanders.

Cowboys

Defensive collapse

Washington’s season unraveled during an eight‑game winless streak that lasted until December 14, exposing the full extent of the team’s defensive issues under Quinn. Throughout the season, the Commanders have hovered near the bottom of the league in nearly every major defensive metric, struggling to contain opponents in yards allowed, points allowed, and explosive plays.

In November, Quinn took over defensive play‑calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in an effort to stabilize the unit. Whitt remains involved in weekly preparation, but Quinn, a former defensive coordinator, now calls plays directly from the sideline.

The statistical drop‑off from last season has been dramatic. Washington ranks next‑to‑last in total yards allowed per game at 382, with only Cincinnati performing worse. The Commanders surrender 6.1 yards per play (31st), and their scoring defense has collapsed as well, allowing 26.9 points per game (27th). Opponents are rushing for 141 yards per game (29th) and throwing for 255 yards per game (27th). Washington’s 8.3 yards allowed per pass attempt is the worst mark in the NFL.

The Commanders’ defensive regression has been one of the defining reasons for their disappointing season.

Jayden Daniels’ magic disappears

Jayden Daniels entered 2025 with enormous expectations. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and receiving down‑ballot MVP votes in 2024, he was expected to lead Washington back to the postseason.

Instead, his second NFL season was defined by injuries, inconsistency, and frustration, ultimately ending prematurely. Daniels suffered three separate injuries, each disrupting his rhythm and costing him valuable playing time:

– Week 2: Sprained knee vs. Green Bay (missed two games)

– Week 7: Hamstring strain vs. Dallas (missed one game)

– Week 9: Dislocated left elbow vs. Seattle (missed three games)

He returned in Week 14 but re‑injured the same elbow after falling on it while chasing down a defender following an interception. In total, Daniels played only seven games before Washington shut him down for the season.

Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is day‑to‑day after injuring his throwing hand and quad in Week 16, requiring stitches. With Mariota’s status unclear, the team signed quarterback Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals’ practice squad.

Daniels’ struggles mirrored Washington’s collapse. The Commanders went from nearly reaching the Super Bowl in 2024 to falling out of playoff contention early in 2025. Without stability at quarterback, the offense never found its rhythm, and the team spiraled.

Kingsbury’s offense faded

Under Kliff Kingsbury’s watch, the Commanders’ offense showed promise early in the season, particularly when Daniels was healthy. But as injuries mounted, Washington frequently drifted away from the run game or leaned into pass‑heavy stretches that stalled drives and disrupted rhythm.

In the Week 16 loss to Philadelphia, Washington led at halftime but abandoned its ground attack, which had been working, resulting in a string of incompletions and ultimately another defeat. Washington’s offense is averaging 20.6 points per game (24th in the league) and 321 yards per game (20th).

Their most productive running back is Jacory Croskey‑Merritt, who has 671 yards (25th in the NFL) on 151 carries. He has scored six touchdowns and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

Through the air, Washington’s most dangerous weapon is wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who has 639 yards on 69 receptions along with five touchdowns. Kingsbury is in his second season as Washington’s offensive coordinator, and his name is being mentioned for several head‑coaching vacancies expected to open around the NFL next season.

Odds and series history

For Sunday’s matchup, sportsbooks list Dallas as a 6.5‑point favorite, with the over/under set at 50.5. The Cowboys‑Commanders rivalry has been played 131 times (including two postseason games), with Dallas winning 80, Washington winning 49, and the teams tying twice. In their first meeting this season, Dallas won 44–22. According to Dimers’ NFL model, which ran 10,000 simulations, the projected score is Dallas 27, Washington 25.

Fantasy Spotlight: Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. appears to have taken control of the backfield as the season winds down, making him a legitimate fantasy option for managers seeking late‑season help. He posted 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the Eagles on Saturday, adding a six‑yard reception. With his workload trending upward, Rodriguez profiles as a strong waiver‑wire pickup for anyone needing running back depth in the final weeks.

Things you might not know about the Commanders

Their fight song is one of the oldest in the league

“Hail to the Commanders” is a modernized version of the original “Hail to the Redskins,” which dates back to the 1930s. It remains one of the NFL’s longest‑running team songs, even after several lyric changes.

Hall of Fame quarterbacks

Since the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened its doors in Canton, Ohio, in 1963, Washington has had 32 former players, coaches, and administrators inducted into the Hall of Fame. Two of them are quarterbacks: Sammy Baugh (inducted in 1963) and Sonny Jurgensen (inducted in 1983).

Their stadium location has changed multiple times

Washington has played home games in three different states:

– Massachusetts (briefly, in the franchise’s earliest days)

– Washington, D.C.

– Maryland (FedExField)

The franchise continues exploring new stadium sites in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C., making it one of the most geographically fluid teams in the league.

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