5 bold Washington Commanders predictions vs. the Cowboys in Week 12

Commanders defense gains 3 turnovers

Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense is making encouraging strides. It was a difficult opening to the campaign, but it's also worth remembering that the Washington Commanders implemented significant personnel changes to the group throughout a frantic first offseason with general manager Adam Peters leading the charge.

The numbers have improved, but Whitt still wants to see more turnovers from his players. Things weren't easy against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. However, they proved capable of keeping the Commanders in games when the offense wasn't firing on all cylinders.

This looks like another game where the defense can flourish. The Dallas Cowboys don't have quarterback Dak Prescott to call upon. Promising tight end Jake Ferguson is out and their ground game is almost non-existent. Whitt also knows most of the personnel from his time working under Dan Quinn in recent years.

Cooper Rush is not the most intimidating signal-caller to grace the league. The Commanders must ensure complacency doesn't become an issue, so converting turnover opportunities into takeaways will go a long way to securing a comfortable afternoon at the office.

Luke McCaffrey gains 50+ receiving yards

Luke McCaffrey's advanced metrics prove he's getting open consistently. The Commanders haven't gotten him the ball enough, which is something that has to change to give this offense another shot in the arm heading into the business end of the campaign.

McCaffrey is a rookie third-round pick, so this was always going to be a work in progress. There's a reluctance to trust him in a competitive setting so far. Considering how nobody is emerging into a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin, the former Rice star should get prominent targets at some stage.

The Dallas Cowboys are giving up 214.7 passing yards per game. They have All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs back in the lineup, but their secondary is vulnerable within defensive schematics that don't look best suited to the personnel at coordinator Mike Zimmer's disposal.

This looks like a game where McCaffrey can make more of an impact. The first-year pro has yet to eclipse 50 receiving yards in a game this season. That could alter against the Cowboys in Week 12 if the Commanders get him involved.