The Washington Commanders dropped to 0-2 against the Dallas Cowboys as we dive into the week two takeaways from the loss
The Washington Commanders fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 37-20, in a game that featured multiple injuries, including to quarterback Jayden Daniels. With all the focus on the status of Daniels and the key players ahead of the home opener, we break down three key takeaways coming out of Sunday's loss:
Season Already Lost?
Postseason odds for teams who open the regular season winless through the first two games aren't too kind. Since the NFL switched to a 17 game regular season schedule, no team has reached the postseason after starting 0-3. For a Washington team already kicked off a make-or-break season, that's a problem.
Washington knew they entered the regular season with a daunting slate given the pair of road divisional matchups preceding the home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions. With an international game, the first matchup against the John Harbaugh-led Giants and a primetime road trip against the 49ers scheduled ahead of the week seven bye, coupled with a week nine matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the slate doesn't get any easier. That's why the first half of the schedule proved among the NFL's toughest schedules.
Yet just like 2025, the key injuries already piling up for Washington has changed the outlook of what to expect. With quarterback Jayden Daniels potentially suffering a long-term injury, he's one of several already banged up alongside tight end Chig Okonkwo, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, linebacker Jordan Magee, right guard Sam Cosmi, left tackle Brandon Coleman and cornerback Trey Amos.
General manager Adam Peters entered the offseason looking to address not just key spot, but upgrade the roster's depth. After an offseason where it appeared to be fixed, that's quickly been proven to be false hope with now question marks at multiple spots ahead of week three.
Heat Is On Dan Quinn
Head coach Dan Quinn will have to put together maybe his best coaching performance since joining the organization the rest of the way, especially for drawing criticism for not taking the points ahead of halftime, a decision that led to Daniels' freak injury. In hindsight, the appeal in trotting Stevens out on the field is obvious.
Yet in a game where Dallas scored on seven of their eight possessions, Quinn's decision to take one more shot at a touchdown is sensible. The defense showed no signs of being able to slow Dallas' offense up until that point with Prescott moving the ball at will, giving the Commanders at the time a chance to potentially reclaim some momentum ahead of the first possession to open the second half.
The nature of the injury and how the second half ultimately unfolded paints a much different picture, though. With fans now set to head to Northwest Stadium next weekend with the outlook on the offseason much different now than it was six week ago, Washington has something to prove, even if the outlook may be another top ten draft pick is in the cards. Now, Quinn is staring at a daunting task and a likely uphill battle ahead of the home opener.
Sainristil's Struggles Loom Large -- Again
After giving up big plays through the air in the week one loss against the Eagles, the Commanders secondary had a test against a more potent passing attack looking to bounce back in the home opener. Washington left AT&T Stadium with a failing grade.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns while completing 26 of his 31 attempts, including completions on all five attempts during a nine play drive that put Dallas ahead, 17-3. That came after Dallas had no issues with Washington's defense on the opening drive after Ceedee Lamb's three yard receiving touchdown capped off a ten play, 66 yard scoring drive less than five minutes into the game.
Sainristil was matched up against Lamb on the opening score in an apparent pre-snap misread, but it wouldn't be the last time. In one on one outside, Lamb would pick on Sainristil again for the game's final score, a 24 yard touchdown with just three minutes left. Per Pro Football Focus, Sainristil allowed four catches for 51 yards on five targets in yet another shaky performance.
It comes after head coach Dan Quinn noted that the lack of focus from the week one loss was "unacceptable," adding another layer of questions surrounding the former 2024 draft pick. The status of Trey Amos remains a mystery beyond week four, but whether that's even enough is its own question mark. Whether cornerback is already the top offseason need for the 2027 season may already be worth debating.
Setback for Commanders defense
After a week one showing showed signs of concern but also reason for optimism, week two casted more doubt on just how rebuilt the defense is under first year coordinator Daronte Jones.
The Commanders lead the NFL with seven passing touchdowns allowed and are one of seven teams allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete at least 71% of passes. The good news is Washington has yet to allow a rushing touchdown, yet the ease in which teams have been able to create explosive plays through the air has been staggering.
Part of that responsibility sits with the pass rush where, at times, Washington has not seen it create havoc in the front seven as hoped. It doesn't help that the defensive line is adjusting to life without Javon Kinlaw and Johnny Newton, while K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh have combined to register two sacks in two games.
Whether Washington can turn the tide against a Seahawks offensive line that has allowed just three sacks through the first two games could be what proves whether a week three turnaround is in store.
