Game Preview, Week 2: Washington at Dallas Cowboys
September 18, 2026
by Steve Thomas
Well, folks, last week’s battle against the Eagles didn’t get well, but it also wasn’t nearly as bad as some of us thought it would, including me. #DaveEarlwasright. The question of the week is whether Washington can rebound from the loss and get their first win of the season against the hated Dallas Cowboys. Probably unlikely, granted, but Dallas did lose at the last minute to the New York Giants in week 1, so I’d say that there’s a real, legitimate chance of a victory here if Washington’s offense can get their act together. Will it happen? Don’t know, but our game preview begins below.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ET, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas; Gates open at 1:25 p.m. CT; parking lots open at 11:25 a.m.
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Cowboys radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 264 (Wash. broad.), 831 (Wash. broad.)
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Cowboys roster: Click here
Cowboys depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Cowboys: 47 – 81 – 2 (last 10: 2 – 8)
Last meeting: W, January 4, 2026, 24 – 17
Cowboys record (2026): 7 – 9 – 1 (2nd place) / home: 4 – 3 – 1 / NFC: 4 – 7 – 1 / NFC East 4 – 2
Washington record (2026): 5 – 12 (3rd place) / away: 3 – 6 / NFC: 3 – 9 / NFC East: 3 – 3
Early odds: Dallas, -4.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
The offense needs to become more consistent
Let’s all be honest an admit that Washington’s offense was very inconsistent against the Eagles. Jayden Daniels did not look comfortable and only got into something approaching a rhythm in the fourth quarter. Washington simply isn’t going to win many games if they can’t do better that that in overall offensive efficiency, to include cutting out dumb penalties. Dallas’ defense isn’t up to the level of the Eagles, in my view, so it may be somewhat of an easier road this week. But the bottom line is: they need consistency.
Establish a running game
The Giants beat Dallas last week by, in no small part, running all over the Cowboys. The Giants had 37 carries against just 29 pass attempts, and averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the process. Washington would be best served by trying to replicate that effort and use all three of their running backs to establish and maintain a strong running game against a team that is, apparently, vulnerable to such an attack.
Washington’s offensive line, especially the interior, needs to get better, fast
Washington’s pass blocking needs to be better than a trainwreck against the Cowboys. Last week, Daniels was pressured on seemingly most of his dropback passes despite the Eagles not blitzing very much. This group needs to somehow figure out how to give Daniels more time in the pocket this week, or else this game might go horribly wrong, quickly. Call a witch to cast a spell, pray to the higher power of your choice, or maybe some old-fashioned bribes. Anything to do better than having Daniels constantly running for his life.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Mike Sainristil vs. CeeDee Lamb
This matchup is otherwise known as “things sure to go wrong”. Sainristil mostly didn’t look good last week, and was primarily responsible for surrendering the key touchdown. I anticipate Dallas trying to take advantage of this situation by making a big effort to isolate Lamb on Sainristil. Washington obviously needs to keep this from happening, but also: get better, Mike. Keep a close eye out on this difficult and important matchup.
Terry McLaurin vs. DaRon Bland
Washington needs their #1 receiver to show up against Dallas. McLaurin was essentially invisible last week, I suspect because Philadelphia made a strong effort to keep him double covered. This, in turn, left Stefon Diggs free quite a bit. Regardless, though, Washington needs McLaurin to have one of his regular, big games. Bland is Dallas’ #1 corner, so he’ll draw the primary task of taking McLaurin on. Keep an eye out on how many targets McLaurin gets this week against Bland.
Brandon Coleman vs. Rashan Gary
Gary is Dallas’ right side edge rusher. Coleman, of course, is Washington’s backup left tackle in place of the injured Larey Tunsil. I wouldn’t say Gary is at the very upper end of the spectrum of elite NFL edge rushers, but he’s a quality player and Coleman needs to play well and protect Daniels’ blind side in order to get Daniels some time to get into a good rhythm this week.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Cowboys |
| LB F. Luvu, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP | S M. Hooker, forearm; Wed: DNP |
| TE C. Okonkwo, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP | LB D. Overshown, hamstring; Wed: DNP |
| OLB D. Armstrong, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | OLB J. Houston, shoulder; Wed: LP |
| OLB K. Chaisson, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | T C. Ajani, knee; Wed: FP |
| WR J. Lane, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| DE C. Omenihu, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| OLB O. Oweh, calf; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| DT D. Payne knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP T | |
| RB K. Allen ankle/knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| S T. Owens, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| G C. Paul, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| DT J. Kinlaw, back; Wed: NL; Thurs :DNP |
Steve’s Prediction
Honestly, I see this game as being pretty close to a toss up; however, at the end of the day, I think Dallas was embarrassed last week and will go to great lengths to right the ship. Plus, Washington’s secondary is a serious liability. Dallas wins a close one, 24 – 20.