Final UKHTTC thoughts leading into Dallas

History 

The all-time record between the teams: The Dallas Cowboys have dominated in this match-up with a record of 78-46-2 against the Commanders.

With Robert Griffin III the invited legend for Sunday, a nice time to look back to 2012. In front of nearly 83,000 at the FedEx, the Redskins progressed to the play-offs after a 28-18 win. Three of the touchdowns came via rookie RB and second team All-Pro Alfred Morris. That really was some rookie duo.

Extra point re these legend invitations: for me there are ‘little l legends’ and ‘big L legends’ and Griffin is a 'little l' legend. I think some in the fanbase are locked into this needing to be a Ring of Fame Commander.

For me, this isn’t the case and there is also a question of availability. I am cool with the likes of Griffin III being invited back and it is another nice touch by ownership. Do I feel RG3 should be a Ring of Famer: no. But it’s a nice welcome home for the Cowboys game. Maybe terminology is the issue here: the team could use returning player of the game rather than Legend?

Watch out for

The Cowboys have a lively punt returner in KaVontae Turpin so special teams guys need to be focused as well.

All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey is accurate even from 50 yards plus, so Dallas will not get downbeat scoring FGs.

Matchups

An interesting and favourable match up for the Commanders are the edge rushers Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler vs rookie LT Tyler Guyton and well-paid but underperforming RT Terence Steele.

The ex-Cowboys signed a three-year deal and one-year deal respectively in the off-season to follow Dan Quinn to Washington. Dallas took Guyton in the first round, and he has been understandably inconsistent, might be some opportunities for Armstrong to take down Cooper Rush. Steele has looked pretty bad vs speed rushers, and it could be another sack day for Fowler Jnr,

Whilst my keys to win have us running the ball, we know that Daniels has the deep ball in his locker. Terry running against Trevon Diggs (questionable) would have been a fun match-up, but with Diggs ruled out, the Dallas depth chart points to Josh Butler as behind Diggs. McLaurin could have a field day in that match up against a guy called up from the practice squad.

Keys to win 

This is a great opportunity to Get Right.

OFF

The Cowboys are ranked 31 out of 32 against the run.

This is a game to get the ball into the hands of Robinson Jnr. There’s been a slight bit of slander towards Brian on social media, and maybe he doesn’t have that flat line speed. But I am of the opinion that a) the Commanders are a better team with a healthy Brian as a starter and b) there is much more to come from Robinson Jnr.

The Commanders have performed pretty well vs stud pass rushers (Garret and TJ Watt) and I feel that Quinn and Kingsbury will have earned their coaching salaries preparing for the likes of Micah Parsons. The injury report across the OL for Washington has been good news too and I feel that that unit will hold up well on Sunday with the additional rest and full practice.

DEF

Whilst not in a good place, the Cowboys do have a decent RB in Rico Dowdle: it took Dallas a while to realise he was likely the best option ahead of veteran Zeke Elliott. Cooper Rush will not beat this Washington team through the air so a key to win will be sound tackling across the DEF starting up front, the starting LBs and I am sure Jeremy Chinn will be relishing this one.

Cee Dee Lamb is a stud WR in the NFL and arguably top five. Even without Prescott he has put up yards, with only the Eagles really shutting him down. I don’t think with Cooper Rush that Cee Dee can take over a game: but let’s try and keep his yards to no more than 60 and again bring him down with sound tackling.

Spotlight players

I have gone for two guys who might not be here in 2025 but are vital for preparation and level-headedness.

A spotlight guy for me on OFF is Zach Ertz. There is a little bit of frustration with Ertz with his lack of yards after the catch. On Sunday I feel that his undoubted ability to find those sweets spots and be a safety net for Jayden Daniels will be a factor. Bounce back game incoming for Ertz and I feel his experience will lead to a tricky Sunday for the talented Cowboys LB, DeMarvion Overshown.

On DEF, it could and should be a productive day for veteran and future HOF, Bobby Wagner. Having a guy like Wagner on the roster is great both in practice and on game day: he will not allow team mates to get ahead of themselves or go off-script.

Score prediction

A divisional game can be a bit of a leveller, however with both the HC and DC in Washington arriving from the Cowboys in the offseason, you would feel they can easily plan up for Cooper Rush.

I can see the first quarter being attritional and even a tad frustrating. However, the Commanders hit their groove as the game progresses and pull away from Dallas with Robinson Jnr having a 100 yard and 2 TD game. 16-34 to Washington. Not the absolute 50 plus points drubbing we want, but a valuable home W and an 8-4 record after 12.