The Washington Commanders faced an unexpected setback in their final game before the postseason, struggling against the Dallas Cowboys. With the opportunity to secure the sixth seed in the playoffs, the Commanders instead found themselves trailing 9-3 at the start of the second half following a field-goal drive from the Cowboys.
The first half was particularly disappointing for Washington, as they managed just 64 yards and only four first downs. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had a challenging outing, completing 6 of 12 passes for 38 yards while adding 27 rushing yards in four carries. In a strategic decision aimed at protecting their players for the upcoming playoffs, the Commanders opted to pull Daniels at halftime, opting for Marcus Mariota to take over in the second half.
On the other side, the Cowboys started their third-string quarterback, Trey Lance, who has completed 14 of 24 passes for 167 yards. However, Dallas has struggled in the red zone, failing to convert on four attempts.
As the Commanders head into the postseason, they will need to regroup and build on their strengths, focusing on improving their offensive performance and transitioning to a more strategic approach in the playoffs. While this game may not have gone as planned, it can serve as a crucial learning experience for the team, preparing them for the challenges ahead.
With the playoffs on the horizon, there’s still hope for the Commanders to make a strong showing and turn their current fortunes around.