The Dallas Cowboys lead the Washington Commanders 6-3 at halftime of their Week 18 game at AT&T Stadium. Interestingly, it’s the same halftime score from their Week 12 meeting.
The Commanders’ first half was full of errors. They managed 64 yards of total offense. Washington’s defense allowed 190 yards to a Dallas offense led by Trey Lance and playing without star receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Here are four quick takeaways from the first half.
They miss Tyler Biadasz
Washington ruled out center Tyler Baidasz before the game with an ankle injury. He was listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report. Biadasz missed the Week 15 game at New Orleans, and while the Commanders won, they struggled with the Saints’ defensive front. It’s been the same against the Cowboys in the first half. Dallas has moved Micah Parsons around, and he has two sacks, one in which he beat Biadasz’s replacement, Michael Deiter. Deiter didn’t even get a hand on Parsons.
Washington’s running game finished with 44 first-half, 27, from quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels is off
Daniels completed six of 12 passes in the first half for 38 yards. He’s been under duress in the first half, but he hasn’t been accurate when he’s had time to throw. Daniels missed wide receiver Dyami Brown on a deep ball. Brown had the defender beat, but Daniels underthrew the pass, allowing the Cowboys’ defender time to break it up.
He also missed wide receiver Terry McLaurin on a third-down slant. McLaurin had the defender beaten inside, and Daniels’s throw was too wide.
Dropped passes
The receivers haven’t helped Daniels. On a trick play, Brown threw deep to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, which went through his hands. Zaccheaus missed another one on the sideline. The second one would have been a tougher catch, but he still missed it.
McLaurin also saw one go through his hands. McLaurin has four targets and one catch. Daniels missed him twice, McLaurin dropped one and McLaurin had one catch for five yards.
Defensive struggles
Somehow, Washington’s defense has allowed almost 200 yards of total offense to a Dallas team led by Lance. The Cowboys have struggled to run all year and have 73 rushing yards in the first half. Lance’s athleticism has helped the running game.
The Commanders’ defense has tightened up in the second half of games recently. We’ll see if that trend continues in the second half.