The Dallas Cowboys stepped on the Washington Commanders 38-10 to clinch the NFC East and the NFC’s N0. 2 seed. The NFL’s most tense battle for first place has come to an end, giving the Dallas Cowboys home field for up to two games. QB Dak Prescott threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns, putting him in the final week’s top Quarterbacks. Here’s what Dallas did right against Washington, and what they need to focus on come Playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys Clinch NFC East – The Keys to Playoffs Success
Tony Pollard’s Increased Use
Take a deep breath, fans. Tony Pollard is back.
The Cowboys made it easy to clinch the NFC East with Pollard, handing him the ball 9 times for 86 total yards and a TD. His clear-cut role as a downhill runner was established by his fellow RB. Rico Dowdle caught several screens and pitches for 100 total yards, proving to be the gadget guy. Pollard and Dowdle’s concrete roles heading into playoffs time should get Cowboys fans excited. The run game is heating up again.
The impressive up-tick by Pollard gave the Cowboys extra momentum to clinch the NFC East. Pollard averaged 5.1 yards per carry, one yard higher than his season average. Dallas will have very little margin for error next week, and each yard will be as important as the last. The division might belong to Dallas, but they can’t forget to keep the ball in the hands of their star. Look for Pollard to have another 9+ carry game against Green Bay next Sunday. He’s bringing a physical brand of Football to Dallas that the Playoffs aren’t ready for.
Stephon Gilmore’s Close Shave
Dallas’ only noticeable blemish from Sunday’s 38-10 bruising is a shoulder injury to CB Stephon Gilmore. The former Defensive Player of the Year has been huge recently, and Dallas’ defense functions differently without him. Replacement CB Nashon Wright held his own following Gilmore’s injury. While the Cowboys did clinch the NFC East, the team isn’t out of the woods yet. Luckily for Dallas, it appears they have dodged a major bullet. The shoulder injury does not appear serious, and Gilmore is expected to play next week.
“It popped out and they popped it back in place. It feels great now. I’m excited for next week,” said Gilmore. “I’m good,”
Gilmore’s injury appears to be a shoulder injury, notoriously tough for aging CBs to deal with. A quick playoff turnaround by Gilmore would greatly help the Cowboys’ chances. While CB DaRon Bland and S Donovan Wilson both recorded interceptions on balls thrown toward their direction, it’ll be coming everyone’s way. It wouldn’t be an overreaction to assume that Gilmore won’t be at 100% against Green Bay. Gilmore and Wright will likely rotate in and out in the Playoffs. Don’t count Gilmore out, though, as the Playoffs are where he made his name.
A Heinous Rematch…
Green Bay, we meet again.
The Cowboys will clinch the east as the Eagles lost and they won 38-10. On Sunday the 14th, Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers will come to Dallas. Woeful memories, yes. A mismatch chance for revenge? Also, yes.
Green Bay’s biggest X factor this season has been that of Jordan Love. He’s been up and down, going 4-5 on the road and 5-3 at home. Love’s favorite targets through week 17 are WR Jayden Reed, Bo Melton, and Dontayvion Wicks. Before you ask ‘Who?‘, let’s do some fact-finding. Jayden Reed caught four balls for 112 yards and a score. Melton and Wicks ended the day with 137 between the two of them, both as rookies. They’re the ones Dallas must keep their eyes on.
Green Bay’s offense has been red hot recently, but Dallas’ ice-cold defense can figure them out. It’ll be up to defenders like CB DaRon Bland, LB/S Marquise Bell, and S Donovan Wilson to get physical with Green Bay’s young playmakers.
What Does Dallas Need to Do?
The first factor in beating the Packers is to put pressure on Jordan Love. Sure, he’s finally learning to use his legs like he should, but he’s not exactly Usain Bolt. Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler, and Sam Williams all met Sam Howell in the backfield. If they can put pressure on Love the same way they did Howell, it’s in the bag. The Packers’ offensive line is worse than the Cowboys’ defensive line. Young receivers like Green Bay’s need time to run effective routes, something Jordan Love can not have much of.
Next, Dallas has to remain vigilant against the run. Green Bay’s RB room is very dynamic, with a home run hitter and a power back RB A.J. Dillon is currently injured, leaving Aaron Jones as the lone back. DT Johnathan Hankins will be healthy for the playoffs, acting as Dallas’ premiere run-stopping-rock. He and the front seven will be tasked with stopping big runs.
Finally, the Cowboys must continue getting the ball to CeeDee Lamb. While this doesn’t necessarily need to be said, nobody is carrying momentum into the playoffs quite like CeeDee Lamb. He has gone nine straight games with a touchdown, remaining Dak’s favorite target in a crowded offense. Lamb’s 2023 career featured 135 catches (a league-high) for 1749 yards and ten touchdowns. Lamb has quickly become one of the NFL’s top pass catchers in a world with Tyreek Hill, J’Marr Chase, and D.K. Metcalf. If Dak keeps feeding Lamb like he has been, Green Bay will be packing themselves up real quick.
Main Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
