Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Picks, Odds, Predictions, and Player Props for Week 2

Even after retooling their defense in the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys still underperformed in Week 1, plummeting to the bottom of the board in most defensive metrics. With the Washington Commanders on deck, the Cowboys will need to quickly round back into form on defense or risk getting burned by Jayden Daniels, who can shred them through the air and on the ground.

Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds For Week 2

Spread: Cowboys -3.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Moneyline: Cowboys (-200, theScore Bet)
Game Total: 50 (Over -110/Under -110, Fanatics)

After failing to play at a competitive level on defense last year, the Dallas Cowboys have carried over their struggles into this season, ranking 32nd in defensive EPA. Jaxson Dart faced minimal resistance in his efforts to move the ball down the field, throwing for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 54 yards with his legs.

That was a stunning performance from Dallas, especially when considering how aggressive they were in their efforts to patch their defense, using their two first-round picks on Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence while retooling their secondary in free agency. Their additions fell flat, leading to a bottom-rank mark in defensive pass EPA.

With Daniels under center in their Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys' struggles on defense will be on full display while lacking the discipline that is needed to contain the dual-threat QB.

Prediction & Pick For Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys Week 2 Matchup

The Pick: Commanders Team Total o23.5 (-105, DraftKings)

Even with question marks looming over their offensive line, the Commanders were still able to take the Philadelphia Eagles the distance while grading out surprisingly well on offense. That's an impressive feat when factoring in their mismatch in the trenches, yet Daniels was still able to lead them to a top-15 finish in offensive EPA and pass EPA.

While it was an inefficient performance from Jacory Croskey-Merritt, he was able to average nearly four yards per carry, giving Daniels some breathing room. When the Commanders' ground game is able to give the production their offense needs to be versatile, wider passing lanes open up, improving the quality of Daniels' throws.

In a divisional matchup against the Cowboys, the Commanders will be able to build on their momentum by taking advantage of a defense that underwhelms at all three levels of the field, per their near dead-last mark in defensive success rate. That's especially the case with Daniels applying serious pressure to their LBs, forcing them to either spy and risk getting beat over the top or gashed on the ground when they drop back.

Barring a sudden turnaround, the Cowboys lack the production on defense that is needed to keep the Commanders in front of the sticks, allowing them to get into scoring position at a high rate. Back Washington to clear the over on their team total at no higher than 24 and sprinkle a smaller wager on them to cover the +3.5 spread.

Best Player Prop Bet For Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams - u72.5 Rushing Yards (-115, BetMGM)

Not only were the Commanders competitive on offense, but their front seven also quietly excelled at stuffing the run, climbing into the top three in defensive rush success rate. Outside of a 42-yard run, the Commanders were able to consistently bottle up Saquon Barkley, holding him to just 2.92 yards per carry.

Even with the Cowboys' offensive line expected to rival the top of the league in run block grade, the Commanders' interior pressure will collapse Javonte Williams' running lanes in the trenches, slowing him down in the backfield. Once slowed down, Williams will need to fight off contact in the backfield, making it difficult to reach the second level of their defense.

The Cowboys' advantage through the air will also lead to an uptick in Dak Prescott’s total number of pass attempts, chipping away at Williams' usage rate on the ground while handicapping his ceiling in the process.