The Washington Commanders are set to host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, aiming to rebound from a two-game skid and stay in contention in the NFC East. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023, will face his former team for the first time since taking the reins in Washington.
Quinn, known for orchestrating a defensive turnaround during his Dallas tenure, now finds himself grappling with a leaky Commanders defense. Through 11 games, Washington ranks 30th in run defense, surrendering 152.1 rushing yards per game—a stark contrast to the 112.4 yards his Cowboys allowed in 2023.
Recent losses have magnified the issue. The Commanders gave up 140 rushing yards in a narrow 28-27 loss to the Steelers and a staggering 228 yards in a 26-18 defeat to the Eagles.
Quinn acknowledged the challenges but downplayed the significance of facing his former team.
“You see your friends that you coached with or worked with,” Quinn said. “I certainly have a lot of respect for the people there. They had a huge impact on my life both professionally and personally.”
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are in their own spiral, suffering a 34-10 home loss to the Texans, marking their fifth straight defeat at AT&T Stadium. With a 3-7 record, Dallas has struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball, scoring just one touchdown against Houston.
For Washington, this game presents more than a chance to snap their losing streak. With the Eagles leading the NFC East by a slim margin, a win against Dallas could keep the Commanders within striking distance. It’s also an opportunity for Quinn to reaffirm his leadership and shore up his defense as the season enters its final stretch.
“We’ve got to show improvement,” Quinn said when asked about his team’s struggles. “This league is about adjustments and responses. That’s what we’ll focus on.”
As the Commanders prepare to face a struggling Cowboys team, the stakes are high for both sides. A win could help Washington stabilize their season and build momentum, while Dallas desperately needs a spark to salvage theirs.
