Brett's Cowboys Corner

Merry Christmas! Tomorrow will mark the 6th time the Cowboys play on Christmas Day; the last time was in 2010 against Arizona. A 2-3 record all-time, including a divisional round play-off win in 1971 against Minnesota.

Though the season has been tough for Dallas, they are 3-1 against division opponents this year, and they will look to finish the year 5-1. On a short week, the Cowboys have been preparing as if they are still playing for something. And if they are trying to avoid a losing season, they are.

A win will help Dallas avoid a 4-game losing streak, and might bring a little Christmas joy despite spending your holiday in Washington…

DALLAS	WASHINGTON
George Pickens: Competing for the receiving title, if he surpasses the 1,400-yard benchmark, he will be among Ceedee Lamb and Michael Irvin to do so with 90+ receptions in a season.	Preston Smith: Edge rushers have given Dallas a lot of trouble, attacking Terrence Steele this game. He could get Steele and Eberflus fired with a good enough game.
Dak Prescott: Lobbied to play on Christmas and believes the season is still meaningful. No better way to show it and cap off a great season by a big performance on Christmas.	Josh Johnson: Dallas has given every QB career days. The veteran QB has nothing to lose but to have fun and sling the ball around on Christmas.
Shemar James: As the Cowboys try to figure out their linebacker position. James will have a chance late in the year to show out, along with some injuries in the depth in front of him.	Noah Igbinoghene: The former Cowboy, he is known and will likely be targeted while trying to guard Lamb and Pickens a lot. This is a chance for him to make some plays…or be the reason Washington loses.

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The Keys to Victory-

1 – Don’t Let Josh Johnson Be Brady.

Josh Johnson is coming into this game as a 39-year-old quarterback, drafted in 2008. Only 10 years active in the NFL. His best career game was against the Colts in 2021, as a Jet, where he threw for 317 yards…hopefully he doesn’t break that mark.

The Cowboys have let Jacoby Brissett and plenty of other struggling or just poor quarterbacks have career days against their poor coverage. Dallas needs to scheme up some pressure and finish in the pocket. They have had moments where tackles have slipped through in the backfield. You have to get the QB but you have to finish.

2 – Get Some Pressure.

This has been the biggest struggle with Dallas as of recent. Not getting a sack on the most sacked QB in the NFL was atrocious. They need to get to the QB on the edge. Older guys like Dante Fowler may not be worth bringing back.

But there is still an opportunity for Jadeveon Clowney to prove he needs a new deal, as well as getting Donovan Ezeiruaku some late action.

Since his Week 11 Cowboys debut, Quinnen Williams has pressured the quarterback on 20.3% of his pass rushes (highest among defensive tackles, min. 50 pass rushes).

He has generated five or more pressures in four of his five games. Since acquiring Williams, the Cowboys have generated pressure at a 36.8% rate with Williams on the field (40.8% with both him and Osa Odighizuwa), compared to just 25.8% without Williams.

3 – Protect Dak.

Dallas has been trying some different things with the offensive line in the past couple of weeks to adjust from the struggles of Nate Thomas and the announcement of season-ending IR for left tackle Tyler Guyton.

Tyler Smith, who was just named to the Pro Bowl as a guard, will get his second start at left tackle this year. As they test him at tackle and Terrence Steele has had some issues on the other side. The interior will be Tyler Booker, Cooper Beebe, and backup T.J. Bass.

As we play our starters and try to get Pickens his receiving title and Dak his passing title. We need to protect 2026 and keep our QB safe while he is back there.

On Christmas Day, I think Dallas is trying to win games still, despite being eliminated from the playoffs. They need to win out to avoid a losing season. I think Josh Johnson will have some moments in this game, but it won’t be enough.