Washington vs. Dallas (+2.5 48.5)
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Washington vs. Dallas | Sunday, January 5, 2025
The NFC East doesn’t look the way many expected it to with one week left in the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys are completely out of the picture with a 7-9 record and a potential coaching change on the way, while the Washington Commanders have exploded to an 11-5 record under the guidance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Dan Quinn was patient in waiting for the right opportunity before getting back into the head coaching seat, and in doing so he’d struck gold in Washington. Quinn has built a tremendous staff featuring multiple ex-NFL head coaches Kliff Kingsbury (OC), and Anthony Lynn (RB coach), and the Commanders are already way ahead of schedule on their impressive rebuild.
That’s largely thanks to sure-fire Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, who has not only dazzled this season, but had claims for the NFL MVP with some of his performances. Daniels has been as clutch as it gets for most of this season, including the comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the battle that went to overtime with the Atlanta Falcons last weekend.
With one game left to play the Commanders can’t climb any higher in the playoff picture. They’re unable to catch the Philadelphia Eagles for the division and won’t be able to jump the Vikings in the standings, but they can secure their spot as the sixth seed with the Green Bay Packers on their tails.
Their opponent is a wounded Dallas Cowboys team without quarterback Dak Prescott or primary receiver Ceedee Lamb, as well as multiple absences across the rest of the roster and a head coach with one foot out the door.
Mike McCarthy barely has a week left on his contract and will soon be free to discuss his options with other teams unless Dallas acts quickly. It’s been a tremendously underwhelming season for Cowboys fans, but for a lot of reasons out of the head coaches control.
It’s a less than ideal time for a visit from last year's defensive coordinator, who knows McCarthy well and has the clear upper hand in the game.
The Commanders are 6.5 point favorites, but it's worth keeping an eye on the injury report. Marshon Lattimore may be rested to avoid aggravating a lingering hamstring injury, while Terry McLaurin’s status is up in the air, along with multiple players along the offensive line.
The plan right now appears to be that the Commanders are playing to win, but with their playoff status confirmed it’s difficult to determine just how hard they’re going to compete, or how long Jayden Daniels is expected to feature for.
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J.A. Cavalier Free Pick
Commanders -4.5