Cowboys are double-digit favorites to beat the Commanders and win the NFC East
The Dallas Cowboys are heavy favorites to beat the Washington Commanders in each team’s regular-season finale and win the NFC East
COWBOYS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR CeeDee Lamb is 66 yards behind Miami’s Tyreek Hill for the NFL lead in yards receiving going into the final weekend. Lamb has set single-season franchise records for yards with 1,651 and catches with a league-leading 122. The fourth-year star is coming off a career day against the Lions. His 13 catches and 227 yards were personal bests. He scored a touchdown in an eighth consecutive game. Lamb is the first Dallas receiver with a TD streak that long.
COMMANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: S Kam Curl. One of several pending free agents on defense, Curl has had plenty of ups and downs this season. Whether his future is with Washington or elsewhere, this is a final chance to show what he can do in coverage and making open-field tackles against an elite passing offense.
KEY MATCHUP: The Cowboys defense vs. Sam Howell. If this is anything like San Francisco or the New York Jets, Dallas will be able to feast on Howell’s mistakes and take advantage of Washington’s banged-up offensive line missing at least two starters. Howell has clearly worn down as the season has gone on and could be ripe for another pick-6 from DaRon Bland, who intercepted him and returned it for a TD on Thanksgiving to break the single-season NFL record.
KEY INJURIES: Cowboys DT Johnathan Hankins could return after missing three games with a sprained ankle. … Backup RB Rico Dowdle has returned to practice after sitting against Detroit with an ankle injury. … LG Tyler Smith tore the plantar fascia in a foot against Detroit. If he plays, it will likely be without practicing all week.
Undrafted rookie T.J. Bass is the likely starter if Smith can’t play. … DE Dorance Armstrong was limping noticeably in the locker room Wednesday, the same day rookie DE Viliami Fehoko (knee) was activated from injured reserve. … The Commanders could be without a couple of veterans dealing with knee injuries: DT Jonathan Allen and CB Kendall Fuller. … Young DBs Christian Holmes (concussion) and Tarik Castro-Fields (shoulder) are also trending toward being out.
