Game Preview, Week 18: Dallas at Washington
January 5, 2023
by Steve Thomas
Well, here we are: Washington fighting its bitter, most hated rival, the Dallas Cowboys, with a playoff birth on the line. Is it possible that all of the struggles and challenges faced by this team during the 2022-23 season are actually going to be worth it in the end? Just be glad that you’re a fan of the Washington Redskins Washington Football Team Washington Commanders good God is that new mascot ridiculous Washington franchise during this era of greatness.
Wait, what?
You mean Washington went out in just about the most pathetic way possible last Sunday, losing to the non-playoff bound Cleveland Browns by a fairly wide margin, thereby self-eliminating themselves from the playoffs? And the head coach wasn’t even aware of the possibility?
Oh, yeah, that happened, didn’t it? Well, then, considering that Washington apparently has no team pride left, and Dallas is still in the running for the NFC East title, this game is set up to be a Dallas blowout. The only question left is whether you are rooting for a higher-seeded draft pick or to be a thorn in the side of the Cowboys. Enjoy the last game of the season, kids.
Game time & location: Sunday, January 8, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 12:25 p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 11:25 a.m.; all other parking lots 12:25 p.m.
Television: Fox
Television announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: click here
Cowboys radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 227 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
Cowboys roster: click here
Cowboys depth chart: click here
Records: Washington 7 – 8 – 1 (home 3 – 5); Dallas 12 – 4 (away 4 – 3)
All-time head-to-head record vs Cowboys: 45 – 76 – 2 (last 10: 3 – 7; streak: 0 – 3)
Last meeting: L, October 2, 2022, 10 – 25
Early odds: Dallas, -7.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Having some pride and wanting to finish strong
If Washington is demoralized and decides to quit on the season, then there’s no hope. The only way they have any shot to win this game is to play like the game matters, and not to simply go through the motions. Players are fighting for their jobs, whether in DC or elsewhere, and therefore one would assume that most would give a full effort. However, we’ve seen this team quit in the last week of the season before.
Run run run, and then run again
The only way to beat a team with as potent of an offense as that of Dallas is to keep their offense off the field. Throw in the fact that Washington’s offensive strength – such as it is – is the ground game, and the game plan is obvious. Washington needs to work on its run game, featuring Brian Robinson Jr., but I doubt that they’ll be able to successful for four quarters with just an interior gap power scheme. Washington will need to get Curtis Samuel involved and get creative, with both power running and runs to the edges.
Quality defense in every area
Dallas simply has too many weapons and capabilities to be able to focus on just one area, especially if they are motivated and playing well. Washington will need to play their best game of the year and not make obvious secondary mistakes or leave open running lanes. There’s not an easier answer for this one.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Terry McLaurin vs Trevon Diggs
This one is Pro Bowler vs Pro Bowler, and is the highest-profile matchup on the field. The truth of the matter is that Diggs has mostly gotten the better of McLaurin over the years, so Washington fan should be rooting for McLaurin to have a breakout game against the Dallas star. McLaurin has finally gotten more of the attention he deserves this season, but taking the next step up and being known as a top 5-elite type receiver requires taking advantage of folks like Diggs.
Benjamin St-Juste or random backup corner vs CeeDee Lamb
Lamb has 102 receptions for 1307 yards this season, which is 5th and 7th in the NFL, respectively. He’s a major problem for Washington’s secondary, so if St-Juste returns to action this week (which seems unlikely as of publication), then he’ll be on tap for this matchup. This will be his opportunity to show the NFL world that St-Juste will be a contender for consideration as one of the NFL’s better corners next season. If St-Juste doesn’t play, then this job will likely fall to a combination of Kendall Fuller and a bunch of backups, which could equal . . . bad.
Charles Leno Vs. DeMarcus Lawrence
Pro Bowler vs . . . not a Pro Bowler. This matchup has the potential to get ugly, fast. Yikes.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Cowboys |
| DT J. Allen, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | C T. Biadasz, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| G/T S. Charles, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DE D. Lawrence, foot; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP |
| S K. Curl, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | LB L. Vander Esch, neck; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: O |
| LB J. Davis, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: to IR | CB K. Joseph, tooth; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| LB N. Gerry, illness; Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q | RB T. Pollard, thigh; Wed: FP; Thurs; FP; Fri: FP |
| RB A. Gibson, knee/foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: to IR | |
| T C. Lucas, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| G A. Norwell, hip; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: Q | |
| RB B. Robinson, Jr., knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| DE J. Smith-Williams, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP ; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| CB B. St-Juste, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| DE M. Sweat, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
Steve’s Prediction
This game will likely be a blowout. Cowboys win 42 – 10. Based on the injury report, it appears as though Washington has quit on the season. We’ll get to see Carson Wentz in what will probably be his final game in DC Taylor Heinicke start once again rookie Sam Howell in his first start. That’s something, but don’t expect too much, as the Cowboys are motivated to win, and the odds are good that Howell – who wasn’t particularly good in the preseason – will probably struggle. There’s a difference between “getting the rookie some playing time” and throwing the guy to the wolves, but it is what it is. This game is going to be ugly, folks. Let’s just hope that Howell gets something good out of the experience.
Elevated from Practice Squad
CB Troy Apke
Inactives
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
QB Carson Wentz
Pingback: Game Preview, Week 18: Washington at Dallas - Commander Fans