The Washington Commanders have no time to wallow in self-pity. It's Dallas Cowboys week, which means more to every fan.
Washington will be visiting the Cowboys in Week 7. If Dallas' other games this season have been any indication, it's a matchup that should feature no shortage of scoring.
The Cowboys' trend of giving up points in bunches continued against the Carolina Panthers, who beat them 30-27. The Commanders, who'll be extra motivated after their sloppy three-turnover performance against the Chicago Bears, should be smelling blood in the water.
Commanders' offense should feast against shaky Cowboys defense in Week 7
It's never bad news for Commanders fans when the Cowboys lose, but they should be especially enticed by how Dallas' defense is playing ahead of the matchup. The unit was expected to regress after superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons was traded before the season, and sure enough, they've given up 30 points four times and at least 20 in every game.
In Week 6, the Cowboys were gashed on the ground by Rico Dowdle, who spent his first four NFL seasons in Dallas. Bryce Young had his way against the Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland-led secondary, passing for three touchdowns, including two to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
For a Commanders team dealing with a banged-up receiver room, this game couldn't have possibly come at a better time. Washington desperately missed the services of Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown against the Bears, as Chris Moore ended up being the team's leading receiver with 46 yards. But in Dallas, Dan Quinn could probably pull a few guys out of the stands and they'd carve up the Cowboys' defensive unit.
Washington was initially optimistic that McLaurin and Brown would return for Week 6. That hope is gone with Brown, and McLaurin's status remains iffy. There is also the issue being navigated by Deebo Samuel Sr., which would be another body blow if he were unable to feature.
Regardless, this is going to be a game where the Commanders' defense will need to make the difference. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' offense have been humming this season, putting up at least 27 in each of their past three games. It will be a tall task to stifle them.
But it'll be an even taller one for the Cowboys to hold Daniels in check. If they made Young and a washed-up Russell Wilson look like superstars, the Commanders might put up 50.