Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons for optimism

1. The Washington Commanders are set to face the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EDT. This will be the Commanders' second road game and their second divisional matchup of the 2026 season, as both teams come off losses to divisional opponents.

2. The Cowboys lost to the New York Giants, who have been near the bottom of the power rankings throughout the offseason. Meanwhile, the Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team expected to win the division. These losses are not equal, with the Commanders having more work to do but also performing well against the Eagles in their previous matchup.

3. There are three reasons to be optimistic for the Commanders ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Cowboys:

a. The Cowboys' run defense allowed 165 rushing yards against the Giants, tied for 27th in the league, and struggled to contain Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart. Against the Eagles, the Commanders rushed for 132 yards, indicating they have the pieces to establish the run early and control the tempo of the game.

b. Jayden Daniels found his rhythm in the fourth quarter last week, suggesting he could continue to perform well against the Cowboys. He doesn't need to throw as many times, giving him an advantage in the game.

c. The Commanders' improved pass rush could pressure Dak Prescott without constantly blitzing, making him more uncomfortable in the pocket. If the Commanders can force turnovers and capitalize on them, it could help secure a win against the Cowboys.