Tag: Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders

Is Michael Gallup’s shrinking role something that needs fixing?

What has been Michael Gallup’s main issue in 2023 and can the Cowboys justify giving him more targets going forward? | From @ReidDHanson

Michael Gallup has been the subject of much criticism this season for Dallas. The homegrown WR has struggled to regain form following a 2021 knee injury, and by most accounts failed to live up to his five-year/$57,500,000 contract signed in the 2022 offseason.

Gallup began the 2023 season as the Cowboys WR3. Dallas traded for the veteran Brandin Cooks to offer complementary speed to CeeDee Lamb’s presence and seemed lucky to have a WR of Gallup’s talent playing a tertiary role. But early struggles by Gallup led to a more diminished role as the Cowboys began incorporating second year player Jalen Tolbert and the explosive KaVontae Turpin into the offense.

Since the win against Philadelphia in Week 14, Gallup has only seen a total of three targets. Last week against Detroit he didn’t log a single target. The issue sparked a conversation with Mike McCarthy regarding ball distribution.

“One of the biggest things I tried to emphasis again today is we got to get our ball distribution up,” McCarthy said. “It’s not where it needs to be the last three weeks.”

Coming off a game where Lamb posted 13 receptions for 227 yards, ball distribution is an understandable concern. Then again, which one of those balls would be better served going elsewhere? The reason Lamb is getting so many opportunities with the ball is because he gets open and makes the most of those plays.

With 20 of 68 targets qualifying as contested, Gallup has had struggled with separation in 2023. And with only seven completions in that group of 20 contested catches, he doesn’t have the most inspiring success rate. He doesn’t always power back to the ball and shield off more aggressive defenders, resulting in close calls and even interceptions (two interceptions when targeting Gallup in 2023).

As the Cowboys contemplate Michael Gallup’s reduced role in 2023 and his subsequent decline in targets, they should keep in mind Jake Ferguson’s sudden rise on offense. Both Ferguson and Lamb lead their respective NFL position groups in red zone targets this season. And recently Cooks has become a top red zone target of Prescott as well. With so many balls going to players who are actually open, it’s hard to justify a more even distribution of balls going to Gallup.

At the end of the day the Cowboys are best served with a less predictable and more balanced distribution. Teams will try to take Lamb away in the postseason and it will be up to the others to make them pay. But if Gallup can’t get separation downfield, there’s no reason to target him over Tolbert, Turpin or Ferguson.

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How the Cowboys can leave D.C. as winners going into the playoffs

The Cowboys can accomplish these goals to be victorious in the Commander’s house. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys officially broke the Jimmy Johnson Ring-of-Honor curse, which immediately seemed to have an advantageous impact. Not only did the Detroit Lions fool the referees in the game to aid a Cowboys victory, but the Philadelphia Eagles were upset at home by the Arizona Cardinals. This allowed Dallas to control the outcome of the division and the twoseed in the NFC playoffs.

The task isn’t complete, though. The Cowboys still need to go on the road and beat a division rival in cold weather conditions. Road games have been a Dallas issue this season; add cold weather and a FedEx Field venue that’s proven difficult in the Dak Prescott era, and this win is no guarantee.

The Cowboys have the second-most Pro Bowl selections of NFC teams, with seven. Their QB is a top MVP candidate; they have possibly the best receiver in the NFC and two top defensive player of the year candidates. The team needs to show up, handle business, and accomplish some tasks in the game to get a victory, plus a few things to be ready for a playoff run.

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.