Statistical breakdown: How the Commanders and Cowboys stack up ahead of Week 18 game
The Washington Commanders (4-12) wrap up the 2023 regular season on Sunday, hosting the Dallas Cowboys (11-5). With a win, the Cowboys clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
Washington has lost seven games in a row and is currently No. 2 in the 2024 NFL draft order. On Wednesday, head coach Ron Rivera announced that quarterback Sam Howell will start the season finale. It’s been a tough year for the young passer, who showed plenty of promise through the first half of the season but has struggled for several weeks.
Rivera benched Howell for Jacoby Brissett last week, but a hamstring injury prevented the veteran from playing against the 49ers, and Howell returned to the lineup.
Last season, the Commanders were a much better team than this year’s version but entered the final game against Dallas, already eliminated from the playoffs. The Cowboys had already clinched a playoff berth but had an outside shot at winning the NFC East. Washington dominated Dallas, but the game didn’t impact the Cowboys, as the Eagles won their game to win the division.
We know the records, but how do these longtime rivals compare statistically?
Let’s review the stats and see how these teams compare to one another ahead of Week 18.
Scoring Offense
Cowboys: 3rd, 29.4 PPG
Commanders: 23rd, 19.9 PPG
Pass Offense
Cowboys: 4th, 255.5 YPG
Commanders: 18th, 224.7 YPG
Rush Offense
Cowboys: 14th, 111.8 YPG
Commanders: 24th, 96.4 YPG
Total Offense
Cowboys: 6th, 367.3 YPG
Commanders: 21st, 321.1 YPG
Scoring Defense
Cowboys: 5th, 19.1 PPG
Commanders: 32nd, 30.0 PPG
Pass Defense
Cowboys: 5th, 190.9 YPG
Commanders: 31st, 259.3 YPG
Run Defense
Cowboys: 20th, 116.3 YPG
Commanders: 25th, 126.5 YPG
Total Defense
Cowboys: 8th, 307.2 YPG
Commanders: 32nd, 385.8 YPG
Penalties
Cowboys: 31st, 59.0 YPG
Commanders: 6th, 41.4 YPG
3rd-Down Defense
Cowboys: 16th, 38.31%
Commanders: 23rd, 40.74%
Turnover Margin
Cowboys: +8
Commanders: -12 (last in the NFL)
