Both the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders are fresh off a divisional loss last week, kicking off their new season in a seriously unsatisfying way. But here’s the real kicker: whoever loses this Week 2 NFC East battle on Sunday is staring down a brutal 0-2 start and sliding straight into full-blown crisis mode. For the Cowboys, they’re desperate to rebound and get some positive vibes going, but divisional games are never easy, especially with these kinds of stakes.
No More “Playing With Their Food”: Dallas Has To Strike First
Man, the Cowboys gotta come out firing. They need to start fast, start aggressively, and score early, period. That “pitiful” Week 1 performance needs to be ancient history, and there’s nothing better than a hot start to wash that nasty taste out of their mouths. The Week 1 “sillies” are over, alright? Brian Schottenheimer needs a well-designed opening script, and Dak Prescott and the whole crew need intense focus to actually execute it. No playing with their food, no wimping out on fourth-and-short. Just be ready with a solid game plan that includes plenty of pre-snap motion, some quick passing concepts, and a good dose of the running game. Make it look easy for once.
Can Dallas Actually Contain Jayden Daniels?
Remember watching the Cowboys’ defense try to chase Jaxson Dart last week? It was like watching Rocky Balboa chase a chicken. Yeah, they eventually got him, but it took way too long, and honestly, it was a little embarrassing. Dart shredded that defense with designed rollouts and by just feasting on poorly read read options. Not pleasant at all. Now, this same defense is tasked with containing Jayden Daniels. While both QBs are dynamic with their legs, Dart is more of a bruiser. You catch him, you know contact is coming. Daniels is a totally different animal, though. He doesn’t want to be caught. He uses his short burst acceleration and nifty change of direction to absolutely evade defenders. Last week, the issue for the Cowboys defense was mostly mental, all about making good decisions, which they definitely didn’t do. This week, not only do they have to clean that up, but they’ll need to be super quick and show some nimble footwork to even try and match Daniel’s elusiveness. If the Cowboys defense makes stops on early downs, holds coverage on the money down, only to let Daniels get loose, it’s gonna be another painful showing.
Washington’s Defense Has Holes Dallas Can Exploit
And what about the Commanders’ defense? Sure, they’re improved, but they’re a total hit-or-miss group. Their aggressiveness can create some negative plays, absolutely, but if they don’t land that pass rush, they are straight up vulnerable.
This Sunday at AT&T, it’s not just another game. It’s about pulling out of an 0-2 hole, putting the Week 1 “sillies” behind them, and frankly, avoiding total crisis. Can the Cowboys light up that vulnerable Commanders defense and actually contain Jayden Daniels? We’re gonna find out fast, because an early score for Dallas could set the tone for their whole season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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