Cowboys vs Commanders: Writer predictions for Week 2

Week 2 brings the Dallas Cowboys home for a divisional matchup with the Washington Commanders , and both teams enter with plenty to correct from opening weekend. With key injuries, new-look defenses and several important individual matchups likely to shape the game, here is what to expect when each offense has the football and some predictions from our BTB staff.

Washington should look at what the Giants did to Dallas in Week 1 and follow a similar plan which is run the football, keep the Cowboys guessing and make Jayden Daniels part of the rushing attack. The Commanders produced 132 rushing yards against Philadelphia , with Jacory Croskey-Merritt gaining 63 yards on 16 carries and Daniels adding 31 yards.

Daniels only threw for 164 yards, but he finished with two touchdowns and no interceptions and became much more effective late in the game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, surrendered 165 rushing yards to New York and allowed the Giants to convert nine of 11 third downs. Even more concerning was Dallas' inability to create pressure without sending extra defenders. When the Cowboys rushed four, they generated only two pressures, and Jaxson Dart completed 17 of 19 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns on those plays.

The route to victory for Washington is patience. Dallas wants its expensive defensive front to attack, but Daniels can use that aggression against them with option runs, screens and using his shifty movement outside the pocket. If they establish the run early and force Dallas' linebackers and safeties (both positions suffered injuries last week) to communicate correctly on every snap, there are opportunities for explosive plays.

Dallas needs a much better offensive start than it produced against New York. The Cowboys finished Week 1 with only 244 total yards, Dak Prescott threw for 175 yards and Javonte Williams managed only 41 rushing yards on 12 carries. The offensive line kept Prescott from being sacked, but it struggled to create movement in the running game, particularly early.

That presents an interesting matchup because Washington's redesigned defense looked considerably faster and more aggressive against Philadelphia. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones mixed his fronts, pressures and coverages, and the Commanders recorded three sacks, including one each from Odafe Oweh and rookie Sonny Styles .

Dallas should not simply line up and repeatedly run into that front, especially with Tyler Smith still on injured reserve and T.J. Bass starting at left guard. The better plan is to make Washington defend the whole field. Quick throws to CeeDee Lamb , George Pickens and Jake Ferguson can slow down the blitz, while screens and play-action can punish linebackers for attacking too aggressively.

There are also big plays available. Philadelphia gained 318 yards against Washington, but roughly half of those yards came on only four plays, including completions of 64 and 31 yards. Washington played good defense for long periods but suffered costly coverage mistakes. That is exactly where Lamb and Pickens should become the focus.

The Cowboys still need Javonte Williams involved because becoming one-dimensional will allow Washington to attack Prescott. But Dallas should use the run to create opportunities rather than making it the entire plan. Williams averaged only 3.4 yards per carry in Week 1, while Washington generally controlled Saquon Barkley outside of one 42-yard run. Getting Williams involved as a receiver could be particularly useful against Washington's pressure packages.

Now onto the predictions from your BTB writers…

I will admit to possibly overreacting, but I'm not feeling very positive about the Cowboys bouncing back. Too many questions, too many problems, no clear answers in sight. I'm afraid Dallas will slump to 0-2 by a score of WAS 27 DAL 23

The Cowboys got punched in the mouth by the New York Giants and were humbled in a big apple kind of way. Luckily they should have the leadership in the locker room to steady the ship and shift their focus to a must win matchup at home against the Washington Commanders.

Dallas underestimated New York in the ground game so hopefully they don't fall for the same mistake vs Washington. Dallas should bounce back in their own backyard, but it'll be a grudge match considering both teams want to avoid 0-2.

Cowboys win by the skin of their teeth 23-20.

The game turned on its head when George Pickens dropped the deep ball last week against the Giants. That won't happen twice. Pickens and the offense gets rolling at home while the defense takes a small but important step forward against the Commanders. DAL 27 WAS 20

Falling to 0-2 is basically the kiss of death for your playoff hopes, so both teams are going to come into this game with plenty of desperation. The Cowboys are a better team than they showed last Sunday night. Will the better version show up against Washington? While I don't see the defense getting much better, I do see Dallas' high-powered offense firing on all cylinders in the home opener. Week 2 in Dallas is a shootout once again as the Cowboys escape with a victory. Give me Dallas, 36-31.

Dak Prescott has never lost at home to Washington and is 7-0. As Washington they have to play their second consecutive road game to a division rival, and last week's loss puts them huge pressure to come out here. A lot of starters didn't play a great deal, if at all during preseason so last week was pretty much their dress rehearsal. Let's see the adjustment on defense and get the win column started.