The Washington Commanders will return to Northwest Stadium this Thursday, determined to end a two-game losing skid as they take on the struggling Dallas Cowboys. After conceding 746 total yards in their last two outings, the Commanders are eager to regain their footing in a tight NFC East race. Central to their story is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose performance has drawn scrutiny. Once a frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels sustained a rib injury in Week 7 that disrupted his stellar start. Before the setback, he was delivering elite numbers, completing 75.3% of his passes with a 107.1 passer rating, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, and adding 53.6 rushing yards per game. However, since his return, those impressive metrics have declined.
Head coach Dan Quinn recently addressed concerns about Daniels’ health and the team’s struggles during a press conference. “Jayden is not injured right now. We did lose crucial practice time with him and his teammates during his recovery, and that’s tough on everyone. Practice is a vital part of what we do,” Quinn stated resolutely, reaffirming the team’s confidence in their young quarterback.
On the other side, the Cowboys arrive in Washington after a crushing 34-10 home loss to the Houston Texans. Offensive woes continue to plague Dallas, with the team struggling to find the end zone and falling to third in the NFC East, narrowly avoiding the division’s bottom spot behind the Giants.
For the Commanders, Thursday’s matchup presents a critical opportunity. A win would not only keep them in contention with the division-leading Eagles, who surpassed them following a Week 10 loss, but also bolster the team’s morale and reaffirm Daniels’ role as a pivotal playmaker in their playoff push. Backed by their home crowd, Washington has the chance to make a statement and build momentum for the critical stretch ahead.
