Ron Rivera Expects Commanders to 'Show Up' & 'Do Their Job' in Week 18 Clash vs. Cowboys

The Washington Commanders face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18 with nothing on the line, but Ron Rivera still expects his players to show up and do their jobs.

The Washington Commanders' season from hell is nearly over. Sitting at 4-12 and on a seven-game losing streak, one last hurdle stands in their way before the season can end - the Dallas Cowboys.

With Mike McCarthy's team now fighting for the No. 2 seed thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles' capitulation against the Arizona Cardinals, there is still a lot on the line for the Cowboys.

This is where the Commanders can play the role of party pooper and for head coach Ron Rivera, despite it being a meaningless game, he expects his players to be ready to roll in the season finale.

“We got one more home game, it's a group of professionals," Rivera said. I think the guys understand that and just expect them to show up and do their job.”

The Commanders got beatdown by the Cowboys in Week 12 45-10, but at FedEx Field in the last game of last season, Sam Howell defeated Dallas 26-6, so that will be in the memory on Sunday.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Howell has had an up-and-down season and coming off a tumultuous week that saw him benched for Jacoby Brissett to then a few days later be named the starter due to Brissett's hamstring injury.

Against the San Francisco 49ers, Howell again showed promise against the NFC's best team.

“I think he's taken the kind of step that you need early on that just shows he's got the growth going forward," Rivera said of Howell. "I believe he's a guy that can be very, very good in this league. There's some things he still has to grow on, obviously, and we can be better and help him as well.”

Cowboys vs. Commanders in Week 18 Could Determine NFC East Winner

The Commanders have nothing to play for but pride and will want to put on a show for their fans in the last home game of the season.

But perhaps playing the role of spoiler will give the team a boost as, after all, what could be better than ruining the Cowboys' chances of claiming the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game?