Tag: 2023 Week 18

Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson quietly leading NFL TEs in key category

Jake Fergusson has been flying under the radar the past month but as the TE league leader in redzone targets, he’s primed to break out. | From @ReidDHanson

Jake Feguson has been a breath of fresh air in Dallas in 2023. The second-year TE out of Wisconsin picked up where he left off, turning a promising rookie season into a bona fide Day-3 draft success story for the Cowboys.

Averaging nearly eight targets per game over the last five weeks, Ferguson has been a cornerstone piece in the Cowboys gameplan. Graded as one of the better blockers in the NFL and one of the best all-around players at his position, Ferguson is primed for a big game in Week 18 and into the postseason.

One of the more surprising developments from this season is Ferguson’s target rate inside the red zone. At 22 red-zone targets and counting, Ferguson leads NFL tight ends in this high-impact category. Jason Kelce trails Ferguson with 19, David Njoku is third at 16 and Sam LaPorta is a distant fourth at 14.

Part of the reason the Cowboys’ rookie, second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker can’t get on the field much this season is because of Ferguson’s development. Entering this season, even some of his biggest supporters felt TE2 was his likely future. 16 games through the 2023 season and most will agree his ceiling has unquestionably risen and Ferguson is a true TE1.

The number of red-zone targets speaks volumes for the young TE. The Cowboys, and specifically Dak Prescott, trust him when the stakes are highest. Despite his inexperience, they aren’t afraid to target him inside the 20.

Entering the postseason, it’s a role that only stands to grow. Teams found success limiting the explosive Dallas offense with heavy shell looks in coverage. With two-deep safety coverage, defenses have been taking away the big play and asking Prescott and company to play a more patient game targeting short routes and the middle of the field. Big plays can be had here and on more than one occasion Ferguson and Prescott where a fraction of an inch away from connecting on big plays up the seam. It’s only a matter of time before these plays start to connect again.

It’s tough to call the man who leads his position group in red zone targets a postseason sleeper, but that’s exactly what Ferguson appears to be this year.

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Cowboys 55-man roster for Week 18: Elevations show needs at LB, safety

The Cowboys will look to go into the playoffs on a winning streak when they take on Washington. Here’s who they’ll enter the fray with. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Cowboys are less than 24 hours from kicking off their regular season finale for the 2023 season. With the NFC East in the balance, both Dallas and Philadelphia will hit the field simultaneously, at 3:25 pm central. The Cowboys will visit the Washington Commanders while the Eagles will tangle with the New York Giants.

Despite signing a couple former Cowboys to the practice squad this week, neither will be part of the Week 18 matchup. OL La’el Collins and linebaker Damien Wilson are depth pieces for the playoffs. Instead, the team will elevate linebacker Bobby Johnson and safety Sheldrick Redwine ahead of Sunday’s action. That speaks to the need at linebacker, but also that safety Malik Hooker is questionable with both an injury and illness hindering this week in practice.

Here’s a look at the club’s final injury report, and below, check out the complete 55-man roster of who is eligible to play.

Quarterbacks (3)
Running Backs (4)
Wideouts (6)
Tight Ends (4)
Offensive Tackles (4)
Offensive Guards (4)
Centers (2)

Defensive Ends (4)
Defensive Tackles (4)
Linebacker (4)
Cornerbacks (6)
Safeties (7)

Special Teams (3)

Cowboys-Commanders final injury report for Week 18: Illness on Dallas side, IR a plenty for Washington

Washington will be without four players while Dallas has seven designated as questionable ahead of the final matchup of the 2023 regular season. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The final regular season game is less than 48 hours away now, and the Dallas Cowboys are set to fly into the Washington Metro area, better known as the DMV. The team will be greeted by bad weather on Saturday that’s expected to clear out before the game, but the winter vibe hit the Cowboys before they left Texas.

Five players are on the injury report due to illness, including starting center Tyler Biadasz and starting safety Malik Hooker. They are two of seven questionable Cowboys, although none have been ruled out. Dallas will look to clinch their second NFC East championship in three years on Sunday when they take on a Washington club that will be without several key players.

The Commanders placed three players on injured reserve this week, including slot corner Kendall Fuller. DT Johnathan Allen was also ruled out of the contest as both starters are dealing with knee injuries. Washington also has three additional players marked as questionable.

Here’s a look at the week of practice and game designations for all parties entering the Week 18 tilt.

3 things the Cowboys must understand about Commanders in Week 18

If the Cowboys want to take care of business against the Commanders in Week 18, they need to keep these three important things in mind. | From @ReidDHanson

When the schedule was first released earlier in the year, no one knew what to expect in Week 18 against the Commanders. A season before, the Cowboys had the exact same matchup. The way the dominos fell, the game ultimately meant nothing for Dallas. This season is a much different situation. This one’s for all the marbles.

Rather than relying on others for final seeding, the Cowboys hold their fate in their own hands. Win and they claim the No. 2 seed and homefield advantage through at least two rounds. Lose and they stand to fall all the way to the fifth seed. Anyone who’s seen Dallas play at home this year knows homefield advantage is no small thing for this road-adverse franchise.

With their playoff fortune on the line, the Cowboys need a win in a big way. Standing in the way is a Washington coach with seemingly nothing to lose, and a roster of players who are fighting for their own name and reputation. Established stars may mail it in, but those situations are few and far between.

The situation in Washington is a unique one given the circumstances. Commanders’ players would love to play spoiler. The Cowboys would love to prove they’re the dominant team and coast to victory. Maintaining edge against an overmatched opponent with a nothing-to-lose approach is no simple task. It takes extra discipline, motivation and even strategy to achieve what many in Las Vegas consider an easy win.

Is the Cowboys one-dimensional offense fixable, fine, or a fatal flaw?

The Cowboys offense is getting carried by the passing game, so here’s what’s wrong with the running game and how can it be fixed… | From @ReidDHanson

With just one game remaining in the regular season, it’s become pretty clear what the Cowboys offense is and what it isn’t. They are a one-dimensional attack, relying heavily on the arm of Dak Prescott and the legs of CeeDee Lamb. They aren’t a viable running team, capable of shouldering a load or even keeping defenses honest.

The delta between the air and ground game in Dallas is significant. The ground attack is producing an EPA/rush of -0.67 with a success rate of just 40.9%, while the ballistics department is posting +0.21 EPA/attempt through the air with a success rate of 47.1%. The fact the Cowboys offense is somehow ranked No. 2 in the NFL without any credible form of a ground game to be seen, is a testament to the proficiency of the passing game.

Stop me if you heard this one: the Dallas Cowboys are entering the postseason as a one-dimensional offense.

The Cowboys now find themselves heading into the playoffs with the full weight of the offense on Prescott’s shoulders. It’s similar to how they entered the postseason last year when the running game cratered following Terence Steele’s season-ending knee injury. It also threatens to be their undoing if they can’t fix it and the passing game trips up at some point.

5 Milestones Cowboys can reach in Week 18

Besides the rimary goal of winning the NFC East, the Cowboys can achieve some individual milestones in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders. | From @BenGrimaldi

There’s a lot at stake for the Dallas Cowboys when they take the field against the Washington Commanders in Week 18. Both the team and some players are on the verge of some milestone achievements.

The big picture for the team is simple, win the game and they’ll win the division for the second time in three years. That would be an incredible feat considering where the Cowboys were a few weeks ago when winning the NFC East seemed like a longshot.

Meanwhile, there are also goals for some on a more personal level. Football is the ultimate team sport, but there are some Cowboys who have milestone’s they can hit against the Commanders. Here are some of the key statistical markers that are available for the Cowboys in the season finale.

Updated Cowboys’ 53-man roster, practice squad after 8 moves that didn’t include Dalvin Cook

The Cowboys have shuffled their practice squad in hope of being able to rest some players and get some depth players snaps. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are in playoff mode, even if they have one more regular season game remaining. With Week 18’s weekend slate rapidly approaching, the club has used the time to shore up their contingent of, well, contingencies, and have shuffled four players out of the franchise and brought in four new ones.

The team has spent the year with Chuma Edoga as the primary backup tackle, but after a lackluster performance the last time he saw the field, it apparently has the team preparing for alternatives. Dallas will take on the Washington Commanders in Week 18, and if things go well, they will return from Maryland as NFC East champions. If things go really well, they’ll be able to dip into their bag of reserve players and rest their key pieces once a win seems secured.

To that extent, the club shuffled four practice squad players this week, letting go of WRs Martavis Bryant and Tyron Johnson, as well as guard Adam Pankey and DT William Previlon. In their place, they brought in La’el Collins and Damien Wilson, along with SaRodorick Thompson and Racey McMath.

Yes, that’s a real name of a real wide receiver.

A name not included is Dalvin Cook. There was talk in the media the Cowboys were interested in the recently released New York Jet, but they did not put a waiver claim in to guarantee securing his services. On Thursday, Cook signed with the AFC No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens.

Here’s a look at the updated Week 18 roster after all of the shenanigans.

Cowboys vs Commanders: 6 things to know about Week 18 opponent

A bad defense and a coaching staff likely to be axed are things to know about the opponent as the regular season draws to a close. | From @BenGrimaldi

It’s hard to believe, but Week 18 has arrived in the NFL and that means the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders once again renew their rivalry. The season has flown by, and the final game has a lot at stake for the Cowboys, and might have implications for the Commanders as well.

Dallas’ playoff outlook is simple, win in Washington and they’ll be NFC East champions and locked into the No. 2 seed in the conference. That’s obviously preferable for a team that plays much better at home. Lose, and they’ll need a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to take home the divisional title. If that doesn’t happen, they’ll be the No. 5 seed and play at the NFC South winner for the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Commanders have one mission, spoil the final game for one of their hated rivals and knock them from atop their perch in the division. That would be a satisfying way to end a disappointing year. Here’s what else there is to know about the Commanders as they prepare to host the Cowboys in Week 18.

Cowboys expected to add 4 players to practice squad on Thursday

The Cowboys are adding four players tot he practice squad including former players La’el Collins and Damien Wilson. | From @ArmyChiefW3

Dallas has been active with their roster leading up to their regular season finale in Washington. Not only str the Cowboys signing former starting right tackle La’el Collins to the practice squad, but they also will add former Cowboy linebacker Damien Wilson. These are among four players expected to join the club once they create room on the 16-man squad.

Collins signed with Dallas back in 2015 and started 71 games along the offensive line. Collins accounted for $8.1 million against the Cowboys salary cap this season after the team released him back in March 2022. His practice squad salary goes unaccounted for as only the top 51 salaries in the NFL count against the cap.

Wilson signed with Kansas City and wound up winning and losing a Super Bowl in his two years in the Midwest. Wilson suited up for 17 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, with five starts. His path to seeing the field will hinge on how quickly he can adapt to the scheme.

They did not stop there as the team is also adding wideout Racey McMath and running back SaRodorick Thompson.

McMath was a sixth-round draft pick by Tennessee back in 2021. The former LSU product played in five games this season catching two passes for 40 yards.

Thompson is a rookie undrafted free agent who started with the Seahawks and was signed to their original practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster. All four players will be eligible to practice once the official announcement is made.

Cowboys can’t overthink Week 18 with injuries, seeding and strategy  

Many conversations are being had which needlessly complicate the Cowboys situation as they head into a must-win Week 18 against Washington. | From @ReidDHanson

With their win against Detroit and the Eagles’ loss to Arizona, the Cowboys are back in the driver’s seat and have the checkered flag in sight. As current holders of the No. 2 seed, they need just one more win to secure the NFC East crown and homefield advantage through at least two rounds of the postseason.

All they have to do is beat one of the worst teams in football in Week 18 and they will have put themselves in prime position to make a deep postseason run this winter. Entering the final game of an otherwise dream situation, the biggest obstacle that stands in their way could be their own overthinking.

The Cowboys have to fight the urge to overcomplicate things in their regular season finale against Washington. Popular opinion around the league sees the upcoming showdown against Washington as a gimmie, of sorts.  Washington is the second-worst team in the NFC while the Cowboys are the second best. Washington has nothing to gain with a win while the Cowboys have everything to gain. Washington is bad and the Cowboys are good.

This line of thinking can be dangerous for a team like Dallas. The Cowboys need one more win this season and history has shown this is a team who can’t afford to count their chickens before they hatch.

They must manage injuries, rest, risk and overall game-planning. It won’t be easy to keep the intensity dialed up with the playoffs inevitably on their minds. Resting players, deepening rotations and dialing up conversative/basic gameplans will all be temptations they must avoid.

But is a more cautious approach the smarter approach? Washington is essentially playing for a draft pick, but more than likely that will be in the hands of a new regime, so laying down is not an option for them. Do the Cowboys need “all hands on deck” to dispatch their final opponent?