The NFL had high hopes for an exciting matchup when scheduling the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, with both teams now out of playoff contention, that anticipation has faded.
In this afternoon contest, both teams are looking to end their disappointing seasons on a positive note. The Commanders, sitting at 4-11, have struggled significantly, losing nine of their last ten matches. They will be forced to start their third-string quarterback due to injuries sidelining both Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota. Daniels is officially out for the season, having only participated in seven games due to ongoing health issues.
On the other hand, the Cowboys have performed slightly better, although a record of 6-8-1 under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer still leaves them without a postseason appearance for a second consecutive year. Their recent form has been disappointing as well, culminating in a 34-17 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, marking their third straight loss and sealing their fate for the playoffs.
As the teams prepare for their Christmas Day showdown at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, there are no postseason stakes attached to this game. Fans can tune in at 1 p.m. ET to catch the action, exclusively available for streaming on Netflix, with various subscription options starting from $7.99.
In the broadcast booth, Ian Eagle will provide play-by-play commentary, supported by analysts Nate Burleson and Matt Ryan. Sideline updates will be delivered by Sara Walsh and Melanie Collins.
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Washington Commanders on offense:
And here is the projected starting lineup for the Commanders” defense:
The Commanders” special teams lineup is as follows:
For the Cowboys, their offensive lineup will look like this:
The projected defensive lineup for the Cowboys is:
And their special teams lineup is set as follows:
As both teams take the field, fans will be watching to see how these underperforming squads finish out their seasons. The matchup, once anticipated for its playoff implications, now serves as a reminder of the challenges both franchises faced throughout the year.
For those interested in the full Cowboys schedule and depth chart, more information can be found on TouchdownJournal.com.
