The writing is on the wall, the bags are probably packed and all that’s left to do is play one more game and the 2023 season will mercifully come to an end.
The Washington Commanders will be an entirely different team when we see them again in training camp. There will be a new general manager, head coach, and a lot of new players.
For the ones on the roster right now, the job is easy. Put as much good play on tape as possible to convince whoever takes over they need to stay or a new team to sign them this off-season. So, here’s who to watch this weekend.
1. CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr
The rookie first-round draft pick has been a disappointment/bust this year but is it all his fault?
The jury is out on that. Too often this year, Forbes has been left out on an island against some of the league’s best receivers; which is not a recipe for success.
One assumes he won’t draw Cee Dee Lamb much, but then again; we’ve been surprised before this season and not in a good way. Hopefully, he can hold his own against the Cowboys’ lethal receiving corps.
2. QB Sam Howell
As we’ve stated before, there are people who will be watching this game who are not currently employed by the Commanders and will be hired as coaches and personnel people soon.
This is Howell’s last chance to leave a positive impression on those people.
If he plays well, he will have earned it, Dallas needs to win to clinch the NFC East and a first-round playoff home game. It’s not likely they will be resting anyone for Wildcard weekend.
The last time these two played each other on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys were eating turkey legs on the sidelines while the game ended. There aren’t a lot of reasons to think something similar won’t happen again.
3. The Offensive Line
There will probably be four new starters on the offensive line next year. For everyone not named Sam Cosmi, a good performance might be the difference between having a team to train with in the offseason and being on the street waiting for a call during training camp.