• Jayden Daniels · Washington Commanders
• Quinnen Williams · Dallas Cowboys

Look for: Whether Dallas defensive ends rush past Daniels or stay level with his pocket depth.

If you see it: Dallas edge rushers run past the quarterback, leaving wide escape paths.

Here's what it means: Daniels can step up or scramble into open running seams for easy first downs.

• CeeDee Lamb · Dallas Cowboys
• Dak Prescott · Dallas Cowboys
• Odafe Oweh · Washington Commanders

Look for: The number of Washington defenders crossing the line of scrimmage on third down.

If you see it: Washington pressures Prescott with only four rushers while dropping seven into coverage.

Here's what it means: Washington can keep two deep safeties to bracket CeeDee Lamb without opening easy checkdowns.

Washington Commanders · Quarterback (QB)

His ability to create outside the structure is especially relevant after Dallas struggled with quarterback mobility in Week 1. When protection breaks down, Daniels can turn broken plays into first downs.

Dallas Cowboys · Wide Receiver (WR)

He remains Dak Prescott’s most important passing-game target and one of the players Washington must locate before every snap to prevent sudden chunk plays.

Dallas Cowboys · Quarterback (QB)

Prescott operated an efficient second-half offense that scored two touchdowns on two drives, but he needs his defense to create stops so Dallas gets enough possessions to dictate terms.

Dallas Cowboys · Wide Receiver (WR)

Pickens gives Dallas a complementary downfield threat that prevents Washington from shading safety help entirely toward Lamb.

Washington Commanders · Linebacker (LB)

Recorded his first sack against Philadelphia and represents the interior speed Washington needs to disrupt Prescott’s timing.

Washington Commanders · Edge Rusher (EDGE)

Brought down Jalen Hurts on a crucial third down in Week 1 and spearheads Washington’s goal of generating edge pressure with a standard four-man rush.

Washington Commanders

The former Dallas defensive coordinator knows the personnel and building well as he leads Washington into its second straight divisional road test.

Dallas Cowboys

After allowing 9 of 11 third-down conversions in his debut, Parker faces an immediate adjustment test against Daniels’ dual-threat skillset.

With Philadelphia and New York already holding head-to-head tiebreakers, neither Washington nor Dallas can afford dropping two intra-division games by mid-September.

Quinn directed Dallas’ defense for three seasons before taking the Washington head coaching role, bringing firsthand knowledge of Prescott and the AT&T Stadium environment.

After surrendering 394 total yards and missing seven tackles against the Giants, Christian Parker’s defensive front must demonstrate it can hold the point of attack.

While Washington and Dallas share a storied NFC East history, Sunday’s clash is defined by immediate urgency: Dan Quinn returns to Arlington leading a Washington roster aiming to avoid an 0-2 division hole.

Dallas allowed the Giants to convert 9 of 11 third downs in Week 1, leaving the defense on the field for over 36 minutes.

Dallas’ offense scored touchdowns on both of its second-half possessions against New York, but ran out of time because it only had two drives.

Washington forced seven Eagles punts and notched three sacks despite losing the game in the final minute.

Washington’s offense gained only 50 yards on its seven non-scoring possessions, illustrating the boom-or-bust nature of the Week 1 opener.

Dan Quinn returns to AT&T Stadium, where he spent three years coordinating Dallas’ defense before taking over in Washington.