The margin for error was already small for the Commanders heading into Sunday’s game. With Terry McLaurin already ruled out and Noah Brown placed on the Reserve/Injured list, wideout Deebo Samuel was downgraded to out on Saturday. The decision left the Commanders with the likes of Luke McCaffrey, rookie Jaylin Lane and Chris Moore as their top receivers.
As a result, Washington needed a standout game from Daniels and the weapons left at his disposal, and while there were some positive moments, the unit never gained enough consistency to match the Cowboys’ No. 1-ranked offense blow-for-blow. Drops and errant throws plagued the Commanders early, forcing another slow start. The Commanders have now started games with either a punt or turnover in seven games.
The Commanders’ run game also had few moments of true success. Washington’s injuries at wide receiver allowed the Cowboys and their 32nd-ranked defense to overcommit to the run game, with running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt facing several eight-man boxes. They still finished with 136 yards, but the running lanes led to little success that they eventually had to abandon because of the deficit.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys were rolling on offense, and it started with the opening drive. They moved 66 yards downfield in five plays on their opening drive, helped by a 37-yard pass interference penalty from Marshon Lattimore. Williams finished things off with a two-yard run to go up 7-0.