The Washington Commanders are hoping a mini bye can help them get back on track Sunday when they host a fading Dallas Cowboys team coming off a short week.
The Commanders (7-4), sitting in second place in the NFC East, have not played since taking a 26-18 loss to the first-place Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 14. The Cowboys (3-7) took their fifth straight loss on Monday night, falling 34-10 to the Houston Texans.
After a one-point loss to the rugged Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the compressed schedule that led into the Thursday night game at Philadelphia, the Commanders were able to rest and get healthy with the extra days.
“I was able to reset and refocus, restart,” rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels said Wednesday. “It’s kind of needed in a long season like that. It was great to get away for a little bit, but I’m glad that we’re back now.”
The offense can use a reset. Daniels completed just 59.1 percent of his passes against the Steelers and Eagles with a touchdown and an interception. He posted two of his three lowest passer ratings of the season in those games.
The Commanders are averaging 22.5 points over their past four games, more than a touchdown less than over the first seven games of the season (31.1).
“I don’t think anyone is hitting the panic button, but at the same time there’s a lot to improve on,” Washington tight end Zach Ertz said. “There’s a lot of urgency that goes with that.”
It will be a reunion of sorts for Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who served as Dallas’ defensive coordinator for the previous three seasons.
The Cowboys went 2-0 against the Commanders last season but arrive in D.C. a double-digit underdog after losing five games by a combined 172-70.
“We have a lot of moving parts going on, and we just have to be cleaner and more detailed in certain spots,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re not playing well enough, not executing well enough, coaching well enough to overcome some of the mistakes we’re making in critical times of the game.”
The Cowboys’ minus-11 turnover differential is tied for second worst in the league.
On defense, Dallas ranks sixth from the bottom in the NFL, allowing 365.7 yards per game, and second to last in points allowed (29.3).
The Cowboys have also been troubled by slow starts. Dallas has produced the opening score in only three of its 10 games.
Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is expected to make his third consecutive start after throwing for 354 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Houston.
“We’ve got seven losses. We gotta go,” McCarthy said. “Backs against the wall. Gotta fight, claw, scratch. Gotta do everything we can to go win the next game. That’s where my mind’s at. That’s the way we coach and that’s the expectation.
In terms of good news for Dallas, All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) returned to practice and was a full participant on Wednesday. In addition, wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) are eligible to come off IR.
Among those not practicing for Dallas on Wednesday were tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion), fullback Hunter Luepke (calf) and guards Zach Martin (ankle/shoulder) and Tyler Smith (ankle/knee). Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was limited.
Washington safety Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, doing his work on a side field, but appears to be trending in the right direction in terms of playing Sunday. Linebacker Nick Bellore (knee) was absent from the Wednesday session.
