The Washington Commanders got a hard reality check in the Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Dan Quinn had not expected such a 22-point loss. Once the game was over, he held firm, favoring belief in his current approach, even as pressure mounted around the Commanders’ defensive struggles.

When asked in the post-game conference if he ever thought of taking over the play calling, the coach replied, “No, I’m on the headsets on all phases and talking through ideas and discussions, game management, all of it. So I’m pretty talkative all the way throughout. Offensively, when we would go, when we wouldn’t, on some of the fourth downs,” he said, explaining his role on the sidelines.

The biggest concern for Quinn is quarterback Jayden Daniels’ injuries. He has played only four games this year, with a 2-2 win-loss record. 2025 has been a mixed start for the young signal-caller.

He has completed 77 of 124 passes for 875 yards, throwing seven touchdowns against just one interception. His completion rate stands at 62.1%, slightly down from 69% in 2024, reflecting the challenges of adjusting to his second NFL season.

The game turned worse when Daniels grabbed his right hamstring and left for the medical tent. Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews reported that Daniels gave a thumbs-up to his mom from the tent before heading to the locker room for more tests. Before getting hurt, Daniels had thrown for 156 yards and one touchdown and also run in another score.

Marcus Mariota took over but couldn’t get much going. He completed just 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards, threw one interception, and got sacked twice.

For Washington, Daniels and Chris Rodriguez Jr. each scored once on the ground, but it wasn’t enough. Cowboys DT Kenny Clark injured his elbow on Rodriguez’ run but later returned to the game. The team finished with 219 receiving yards and 136 rushing yards, but Dallas’ big plays and turnovers made all the difference.

On the other hand, the Commanders’ defense failed to stop the Cowboys’ impressive offense.

Dan Quinn needs to work on his defense

The Washington Commanders’ defense collapsed again on Sunday, October 19. Dallas forced two turnovers, while Washington failed to create even one, and that difference told the full story. The Cowboys attacked with precision, while Dan Quinn’s defense looked sloppy, and undisciplined. The turning point came in the third quarter.

Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland read Marcus Mariota perfectly, intercepted his pass, and sprinted 68 yards into the end zone for a pick-six. Just minutes earlier, Bland and his teammates were complaining about the blinding sunlight in the stadium. Washington, meanwhile, couldn’t respond.

The defense never forced a takeaway, and Dak Prescott carved them up for 264 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception. Penalties made things worse for the Commanders. They committed 11 penalties for 118 yards, extending Dallas drives. The Cowboys weren’t flawless either, drawing 10 flags for 79 yards, but they stayed composed and capitalized when it mattered. On offense, Washington’s mistakes proved costly.

Jayden Daniels fumbled before leaving the game with a hamstring injury, and Mariota’s interception later turned into an easy Cowboys touchdown.

Dallas protected the ball all game, finishing with zero turnovers, while Washington handed away 14 points through unforced errors. After the loss, frustration boiled over among fans, with some saying that they wouldn’t reach the playoffs if the play didn’t improve.

Overall, in the 2025 season, the Commanders have committed 10 turnovers, including 5 fumbles lost and 5 interceptions thrown.

With two turnovers, no takeaways, and 118 penalty yards against the Cowboys, Dan Quinn’s team didn’t just lose, they looked like a team falling apart in real time.