What We NEED to Learn About the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 2 Matchup vs. Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys have a lot to prove in Week 2 against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

After an ugly defensive performance against the New York Giants, Zac and FootsDaKing break down the biggest questions facing the Cowboys heading into this matchup. Was Week 1 simply one terrible defensive performance, or did it expose real problems with Christian Parker’s new Cowboys defense?

With DeMarvion Overshown and Malik Hooker out, rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham is stepping into a massive role at MIKE linebacker and will wear the green dot against one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.

The guys also dive into the Cowboys offense and why Dallas shouldn’t be afraid to trust Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and the passing game against Washington’s secondary. Should the Cowboys stop worrying so much about “establishing the run”? Can the offensive tackles hold up well enough for Dallas to attack downfield? And why could blitzing Dak Prescott be a major mistake for the Commanders defense?

On the other side of the ball, the biggest question might be whether Dallas can pressure Jayden Daniels without constantly sending extra rushers. Philadelphia pressured Daniels on nearly 48% of his dropbacks while largely getting home with four, while the Cowboys generated just two pressures on 20 four-man rushes against New York.

Zac and Foots also discuss maintaining rush lanes against Daniels, Donovan Ezeiruaku’s struggles setting the edge, Christian Parker’s defensive adjustments and which Cowboys players need to respond the most in Week 2.

It’s a full Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders preview with the matchups, players and questions that could decide the game.

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