In a commanding performance this week, the Washington Commanders throttled the Dallas Cowboys 52–18 in a lopsided Week 13 clash during the 2026 PML season. Washington piled up 536 total yards — nearly double Dallas’s 274 — showcasing a balanced offensive attack and a defense that dictated the game from the opening whistle.
Commanders’ Air Attack Lights Up the Stat Sheet
Quarterback J. Daniels delivered a near-perfect outing, finishing 9-for-11 for 252 yards and three touchdowns with a flawless 158.3 passer rating. He even added three rush attempts for 25 yards later in the game, cementing just how firmly Washington controlled the pace.
Ground Game Erupts Behind Croskey-Merritt & White
The Commanders’ run game overwhelmed Dallas.
- J. Croskey-Merritt: 11 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD, with a long burst of 52.
- Z. White: 14 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD.
The relentless ground attack kept Dallas on its heels all game long.
Receiving Corps Stretches the Field
Big plays came in bunches through the air:
- J. Lane: 2 catches, 86 yards, 2 TDs.
- Croskey-Merritt: Added a 51-yard receiving TD as a dual-threat.
- M. Andrews and the complementary weapons rounded out a diversified passing effort.
Every major receiving target produced either explosive yardage or scoring plays, making life easy on Daniels.
Defense Forces Turnovers, Dallas Collapses
Washington’s defense stacked pressure and turnovers, finishing with:
- 1 sack
- 3 forced turnovers
- A third-down defensive stand rate of 66%
Dallas never found rhythm. Dak Prescott threw for 182 yards on 11-of-22 passing with one touchdown and one interception. The Cowboys’ ground game managed only 102 yards and one rushing TD.
Red zone failures sealed their fate — Dallas scored only once on three red-zone trips, while Washington punched in five touchdowns on eight attempts.
POSTGAME: Coach Que Talks to ESPN
After the 52–18 statement win, Commanders head coach Coach Que spoke with reporters about the performance, the mindset of the team, and what this victory means heading into the final stretch of the season.
ESPN:
Coach, this was one of your most dominant wins of the year. What clicked today?
Coach Que:
“Execution. That’s the word. We talked all week about being detailed — not just explosive. Anybody can hit a big play, but can you stack disciplined possessions? Today, the guys bought in. Offense stayed patient, defense took the ball away, and we kept our foot on the gas. That’s the kind of football we want to play in December.”
ESPN:
J. Daniels was nearly perfect. How would you describe his performance?
Coach Que:
“Poise. He looked like a veteran out there. He trusted his reads, trusted the protection, and when the big plays were there, he didn’t miss. What I’m most proud of is the decision-making — no forced throws, no panicking, just pure command. When your QB plays like that, everything else opens up.”
ESPN:
The run game was unstoppable. Was that part of the game plan?
Coach Que:
“Absolutely. We knew if we controlled the trenches, we’d control the game. Croskey-Merritt and White ran with purpose. They ran angry. That’s the standard. I challenged them this week, and they answered.”
ESPN:
The playoffs are in sight. How do you keep the team grounded after a win like this?
Coach Que:
“One game at a time. We enjoyed this for maybe ten minutes in the locker room, and then we shifted right back to work. This league will humble you quick if you start feeling yourself. We’re not chasing style points — we’re chasing consistency. If we stay locked in, we like where we’re headed.”
Bottom Line
The Commanders played their most complete game of the season — explosive through the air, punishing on the ground, and suffocating on defense. With the postseason approaching, Coach Que’s squad looks like a team finding its identity at the perfect time.
