The Washington Commanders are taking on the Dallas Cowboys for their Week 7 matchup. Check out this blog throughout the afternoon for stats, updates and more.
4:25 p.m.
And we're off! I'm genuinely curious how this game is going to go. The Commanders are down their top three wideouts, and the Cowboys know that, but Dallas gives up more rushing yards than almost anyone. Either way, it'll take a complete team effort to get a win they really need. The Cowboys will start on offense.
4:32 p.m.
It didn't take long for the Cowboys to get in the end zone. Javonte Williams took the ball in on the two-yard carry, but it was the pass interference call at the Commanders' 2-yard line on Marshon Lattimore that was the biggest play of the drive. It's time for the Commanders to respond, and fast starts have been difficult for the offense. They've started drives with either a punt or turnover in five of their six games.
4:39 p.m.
The Commanders just got off the field on three-and-out. It seemed like they were about to try and convert a fourth-and-3 on their side of the 50, but a false start forced Tress Way onto the field.
But the special teams unit continues to be impressive. Way pinned the Cowboys inside the 5-yard line, and Percy Butler downed the ball at the 1-yard line by walking a tight rope at the goal line.
4:43 p.m.
It's a safety on the first play of the Cowboys' drive. Daron Payne blew into the backfield and took down Williams in the end zone. That is exactly what the Commanders need going forward -- complete team effort
4:50 p.m.
Despite being down three wideouts, the Commanders find a way. Chris Moore connected with Jayden Daniels for a 44-yard completion, and Zach Ertz finished things off with a touchdown reception. The Commanders are now 7-for-7 on goal-to-go situations. After the failed two-point conversion, the Commanders are up 8-7.
4:58 p.m.
The Cowboys responded with a 47-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey, who continues to have a solid season for Dallas. In a way, however, it's also a win for the Commanders' defense. Obviously, the Cowboys have one of the best offenses in football, and the ability to force the unit to settle for three points instead of seven certainly makes life easier for the offense.
5:08 p.m.
Tough few minutes for the Commanders. First, Dorance Armstrong was ruled out with a knee injury. Then, the Commanders' offense was stopped one yard on third down for a three-and-out. After that, Dak Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb in his first game back with a 74-yard touchdown. The Commanders are already in dangerous territory down nine points in the first quarter.
5:20 p.m.
We're at the end of the first quarter, and the Cowboys have a 17-8 lead with the ball in their control. The biggest takeaway for the Commanders is that they're making things easier on the Cowboys at times with drops and errant throws from the offense. Von Miller and Jacob Martin combined for a sack on Prescott to end the first quarter, but they also had a roughing the passer penalty earlier in the drive. With the Commanders down so many players and weapons, they simply cannot afford to give the Cowboys any extra life.
5:32 p.m.
The Commanders just gave the ball back to the Cowboys with good field position after an incomplete pass on fourth down. You can tell the Commanders are in a tough position offensively. The Cowboys know they're going to lean on their run game with three receivers out, and they can't waste any drives with Dallas' offense on the other sideline. There's immense pressure for them to execute perfectly on every play.
5:41 p.m.
Two things on that last Cowboys drive:
1) Daron Payne is playing really well today. He has three tipped passes on the day, including two on that last Cowboys possession that forced a fourth down.
2) Credit where it's due: Aubrey is a legit weapon for the Cowboys. He just drilled a 61-yard field goal that would have been good from much farther out.
5:49 p.m.
Another three-and-out by the Commanders' offense. They're down 20-8 and in a really bad spot now with 5:29 left in the half. They get the ball to start the second half, but it could easily by 27-8 by the time the third quarter starts.
5:54 p.m.
The Commanders' defense just came up with another stop that they really needed. Daniels and the offense now has a chance to cut into the lead before halftime, and there's no other way to put it: the Commanders need a shot in the arm.
6:06 p.m.
That was a clutch drive by the Commanders that ended with a touchdown run by Daniels, but they gave the Cowboys too much time before halftime. George Pickens made a 44-yard catch, and Williams added to that with a 33-yard run. Jake Ferguson finished the drive with a touchdown pass. All that happened in 35 seconds.
Tough.
