3 winners (and 4 losers) from Commanders defeat vs. Cowboys in Week 12

Winner No. 2

Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB

In fairness to the defense, it was another decent afternoon for the group. They were dealt a bad hand considering the offense didn't get anything going, but there were positives to take despite the result not going their way.

Frankie Luvu was at his relentless best throughout. The Washington Commanders are getting more than they bargained for from the ferocious linebacker. He's an integral part of the team's long-term plans and is the beating heart of this defense until further notice.

Luvu was around the football consistently against the run. Perhaps more impressive was his ability to make an impact in coverage, securing three pass breakups to continue his emergence into a legitimate total package.

The former Washington State standout will be needed more than ever in the coming weeks. Luvu's inspirational leadership is equally important given how confidence is fading rapidly. This is all about digging deep and showing the right resolve. And make no mistake, the Commanders' second-level enforcer will be at the forefront.

Loser No. 3

Commanders special teams

It's unfair to single out one person for the special teams' failings. The Commanders have gotten decent production from this unit overall throughout the campaign. Unfortunately, this trend didn't continue at the worst possible time.

Things started well enough. Phidarian Mathis blocked a field goal attempt early in the contest, but it didn't take long for things to unravel.

The coverage in the return game was troublesome. Austin Seibert missed two crucial extra points that could have turned the tide. They allowed a 99-yard kickoff to go to the house, which negated any opportunity the Commanders had to salvage something from the contest.

On the second and most critical extra-point miss, long-snapper Tyler Ott's distribution to Tress Way was abysmal. The Pro Bowl punter - who was the only one to emerge with any credit - did remarkably well to get the football into position. However, the damage had been done.

This should be a blip rather than anything too concerning. A lot of those at fault were taking things personally and seemed emotional after the defeat. Letting this define them is not an option with the Commanders still having plenty to play for down the stretch.