Cowboys at Commanders Preview: Hankins, La'el, Tyler Smith Injury Updates, NFC Playoff Seeding

Dallas Cowboys at Commanders Preview: Hankins, La'el Collins, Tyler Smith Updates, NFC East Title, Playoff Seeding

FRISCO - In their regular-season finale, the Dallas Cowboys travel to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon. The Cowboys must beat the divisional opponent to clinch the NFC East for the 26th time in franchise history. 

A win would secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs and a guaranteed home game in both the wild card and divisional rounds. The Cowboys are a perfect 8-0 at AT&T Stadium this season.

However, a loss would allow the Philadelphia Eagles to steal back the division crown with a win against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Health is a priority here; our Mike Fisher notes three names in the news, Johnathan Hankins (ankle), Tyler Smith (ankle) and La'el Collins.

#DallasCowboys/#Commanders FINAL Practice Injury and Game Status Report - some ‘good’ ‘questionables’ - https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw pic.twitter.com/JuzSwHKTrm

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) January 5, 2024

New arrival Collins is not playing Sunday. The Cowboys are holding out hope that Hankins ("Very important,'' coach Mike McCarthy said) and Smith "I'd never count him out,'' McCarthy said) might be able to go.

Dallas would be smart to not overlook the Commanders, who pulled off the upset in Week 18 last season. Last season, Dak Prescott and the offense mustered only 182 total yards in a 26-6 loss.

The Cowboys are fresh off a thrilling 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. Dallas looks to improve its rushing attack; totaling 61 yards on the ground last week, their second lowest of the year. The Cowboys haven't had 100 yards rushing in three weeks. 

Prescott looks to continue his excellent season; leading the NFL with 32 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions in 2023. 

The Cowboys defense looks to get after quarterback Sam Howell, who is fresh off a solid performance despite a 27-10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Washington has lost seven games in a row and is nearing a critical offseason, during which changes at coach, quarterback and everywhere in between appear to be in store. Currently, the Commanders would own the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Dallas' taking the division crown would also continue a wild trend; marking the 19th consecutive year that the NFC East did not have a team win consecutive division titles.

CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott

FUN FACT: CeeDee Lamb set the Cowboys' franchise record for single-season receptions with 122 in 2023. With two catches on Sunday, Lamb would pass Davante Adams (123 in 2021) for the 10th-most receptions in a season in NFL history.

RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Washington Commanders (4-12)

ODDS: Dallas is a 13.5-point favorite vs. the Commanders

GAME TIME: Saturday, January 7th, 2024 at 3:25 p.m. CT

LOCATION: Fed Ex Field - North Englewood, MD

TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The FAN

THE FINAL WORD Defense coordinator Dan Quinn on Dallas' final regular season game:

“With our game going against Washington for a division title, man, you couldn't write that up any better. What a cool moment to be here - just as it should be," Quinn said. “It's going to be a battle this week and we're ready.”