CBS Sports Texas Team's Week 12 predictions: Commanders vs. Cowboys
Hate it or love it, the Cowboys have seven more games left on the schedule, and yes, the injuries continue to pile up. Veteran guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs stayed in Dallas as they were officially ruled out of Sunday's game. As expected, tight end Jake Ferguson is also ruled out as he continues to be in concussion protocol. Cooper Rush, who nearly doubled his pass attempts in the span of two weeks, is hoping for a change of luck against a Commanders squad led by Dan Quinn.
The Cowboys Game Day Crew, featured by a special guest, gives their predictions.
George Teague
The Commanders are coming off two straight losses and will look to get back on track at home against the Dallas Cowboys. With star running back Brian Robinson Jr. returning to the field, Washington will aim to exploit the Cowboys' nonexistent run defense. Additionally, they'll look to get wide receiver Terry McLaurin involved early after a quiet performance last week.
On the other side, Dallas is sticking with Cooper Rush under center. The Commanders' defense should have an opportunity to feast on a Cowboys offensive line that's been struggling, with no reliable running game. Dan Quinn is likely to force Dallas into passing situations, where they can focus on limiting CeeDee Lamb's impact.
Ultimately, Washington is poised to take command of this matchup.
Washington 34, Dallas 20
Bill Jones
A 3-7 Cowboys team faces a Washington team that appears playoff-bound. It happened in 1990 and a QB born on November 21 (Troy Aikman) beat Washington, 27-17. One year later, on November 24, 1991, a Cowboys team with a backup QB (Steve Beuerlein) beat a Super Bowl Champion Washington team, 24-20. Can this 3-7 Cowboys team with a backup QB (Cooper Rush) born on November 21 beat a Washington team that appears playoff-bound on November 24, 2024?
Dallas 24, Washington 20 😅
Isaiah Stanback
DQ nowadays associates more with King than Queen. Dan Quinn has his new squad playing very well and they're only getting better.
Commanders 31, Cowboys 13
Briana Aldridge
What I like most about this matchup is that the Cowboys have nothing to lose come Sunday. Sometimes, that can make a team the most dangerous. Throw a healthy DaRon Bland back in the mix with an eager Micah Parsons, who was fired up this week; that presence will open the path for more splash plays for the defense. However, with Dak or not, the offense hasn't been able to produce, while the Commanders' 'low' scoring game was 18 points. Jayden Daniels will find a way to carry his team, hurt and all.
Commanders 20, Cowboys 17
Garrett Podell
Dallas' defense should get a boost from 2023 NFL interceptions leader DaRon Bland's return, but that boost will be mitigated by Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) being ruled out. Cooper Rush and his 5.1 yards per pass attempt, the fourth-lowest in the entire NFL since he became the Cowboys starter in Week 10, isn't scaring anybody. Jayden Daniels powers Washington to an early lead, and Dallas tacks on some garbage time points late in a multi-score defeat, their sixth in a row.
Commanders 34, Cowboys 16