What to watch in Dallas Cowboys’ potential NFC East-clinching matchup vs. Commanders

After a season of focusing on themselves and not worry about the things around them, all the Dallas Cowboys must do is continue to run their own race, as quarterback Dak Prescott likes to say, to open up a postseason of possibilities.

Certainly, the Arizona Cardinals did the Cowboys a favor with last week’s victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

It gave the Cowboys (11-5) the opportunity to head into Sunday’s season final against the Washington Commanders in control of their own destiny.

A win gives them the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, which would guarantee them one and possibly two home games in the playoffs, setting up arguable their best option of realizing them dreams of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.

“It was great to get some help but we’ve got to take care of what we can control,” Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin said. “And what we can control is going into Washington and playing a complete game and solidifying that No. 2 seed. “You wanted to be able to control your own destiny, and we have an opportunity to do that.

“We talked about it all week. The playoffs start for us this week. It’s a must-win for us, so we can get ourselves some home games and make a push in the postseason.”

How do the Cowboys do that?

By continuing to run their own race and focus on themselves.

“It’s just about focusing,” Prescott said. “We understand the magnitude of this game and what it means: winning the division, having the home field. We’re going into a situation if we control, we can control it. Everything lays out perfect for us. Yeah, some things happened for us. For us, it’s about going and running our race again this weekend.”

What to watch in Cowboys’ potential NFC East-clinching match up vs. Commanders:

Dak Prescott can become 2nd Cowboys QB to lead NFL in TD passes

One year after leading the NFL in interceptions and having to hear incessant chatter about him being a turnover machine and his mistake-prone ways, Prescott heads into the season final with a chance to become the second quarterback in Cowboys history to lead the NFL in touchdown passes.

Prescott, who currently leads the league with 32 touchdowns passes heading into the final game, tossed a career-high 37 touchdowns in 2021.

“It’s numbers. I think I’ve had a year where I’ve had more touchdowns than this as it is and did I lead the league then? I don’t think so,” Prescott said. “It’s numbers and stats. It’s part of it. That’s why I don’t get caught up in that stuff. A lot of great quarterbacks that were injured this year, unfortunately. I just worked to be my best each and every day and make sure the guys around me are and numbers are numbers. I don’t get caught up in them.”

But what he has done in 2023 after leading the NFL with 15 interceptions last season is the stuff of legends.

He would join Hall of Famer Roger Staubach (23 in 1973) as the only Cowboys quarterbacks to lead the league in touchdown passes. He would also join another Hall of Famer, Bob Waterfield (1945-46), to lead the league in touchdowns a season after leading it in interceptions, per NFL Research.

Prescott is not moved by it either, just as he didn’t get caught with the critics from a year ago. He has just eight interceptions in 2023.

“No, not really,” said Prescott when asked if took any self gratification in his statistical turnaround. “At that time last year, I knew this is who I am just as I talked about then. Some things were tough. Balls weren’t going exactly the way I wanted to. Some crazy bounces here and there and some tight throws that weren’t working in my favor. Then your occasional bad interception, which is still happening this year.

For me just about staying true to myself, keep working and not allowing other people’s opinions, critics really affect my game and the way that I approach this.”

Beware of Washington, remember 2022 season final

The Cowboys will head into Sunday’s game with their eyes wide open about the 4-12 Commanders, who seemingly have nothing to play for.

A loss helps Washington clinch the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft..

The Commanders are team that will certainly fire coach Ron Rivera at the end of the season. And quarterback Sam Howell suddenly has no future in Washington.

The Cowboys spent all week remembering the bitter 26-6 loss at the Commanders in last season’s season final. Washington was already out of the playoffs but blindsided the postseason-bound Cowboys.

“A lot of guys in the locker room were a part of that game last season and have that sour taste in [our] mouths,” Martin said. “I don’t think anyone’s taking this game lightly.. We talked about it all week.”

Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys are going to be wary of a team with nothing to lose.

“Expect the unexpected,” McCarthy said. “I agree with that, absolutely. Ron has been aggressive in the past, so I would not be surprised if he’s aggressive on fourth downs. We’re expecting them to come at us in a wide-open fashion.”

Don’t look for La’el Collins to play this week

Even though left guard Tyler Smith has not practice all week is questionable for the Washington game with plantar fasciitis, don’t look for the newly-signed offensive lineman La’el Collins to suit up.

If Smith can’t go it will be T.J. Bass or Chuma Edoga at left guard.

Coach Mike McCarthy said he will wait until Saturday to make a final determination on Smith and to not count him out.

With the playoffs just a week away, expect the Cowboys to be prudent with Smith.

That is also why they are not forcing things with Collins, who started 72 games over six seasons before joining the Bengals in 2022.

He started 15 games for the Bengals in 2022 before suffering a torn ACL. Collins was released in September and has spent the rest of 2023 rehabbing that injury.

Collins is working at left guard but will be looked as insurance option all over the Cowboys line in the playoffs.