Cowboys @ Commanders
Final Score: Cowboys 34, Commanders 26
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL)
This game was incredibly boring for 55 minutes of game time. Then, all of a sudden, it wasn’t. In one of the most wild fourth quarters you’ll ever see, the Cowboys and Commanders traded blows for the final five minutes, with each ensuing play one-upping the previous one in terms of improbability. It was as though two boxers decided to stop blocking blows in the final round of the fight and mutually agreed that whoever was knocked out by a punch first would lose.
From the Kavontae Turpin near-disaster-turned-spin-move for a 99-yard kickoff return, to the Terry McLaurin 86-yard touchdown and ensuing Autin Seibert failed extra point, to the Juanyeh Thomas kickoff return that should have never happened that gave the Commanders one final gasp of hope – it was one of the most preposterous sequences of events these eyes have ever witnessed. As a third party with no allegiances to either team, this was pure cinema. To all of my Commanders fans hoping for a playoff berth and Cowboys fans hoping for an optimal draft position, I’m truly sorry. At least we all got to experience it together.
Three Up
- Jayden Daniels – Daniels had been riding a string of underwhelming fantasy performances before today’s game. As things stand right now, Daniels is the QB1 on the week, thanks in large part to him having his most productive day on the ground in a while. It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but this is why you roster (and start) the rookie phenom.
- Cooper Rush – I’m also going to give some credit to Daniels’ opponent, as Rush took care of the football today and did what he needed to do to put his team in position to win. He’s still not a recommended start, but maybe we can be more confident in those Cowboys skill position players moving forward.
- Luke Schoonmaker – Schoonmaker has come through in every game Jake Ferguson has missed this season. As long as Ferguson is sidelined, Schoonmaker is a viable streamer in TE land.
Two Down
- Commanders RBs – Both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler dealt with some injury scares today and were inefficient with their touches. A rough day all around for anyone running the football not named Jayden Daniels.
- Jonathan Mingo – Mingo remains invisible on his new team. It’s not a surprising development, but one we’ll mention anyway. Why was a fourth rounder sent for this guy again?
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Cooper Rush: 24/32, 247 Yards, 2 TDs, Fumble (Recovered) | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
After a few weeks of looking wholly incompetent, Cooper Rush did just enough to help bring the Cowboys to victory today. The key for Rush was that he did not turn the ball over once, an issue that has plagued him over the past couple of games. To his credit, he had some really nice throws today, namely his touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker and a well-placed deep ball to Jalen Brooks that set up a field goal at the end of the first half. His performance today was just enough to show us that maybe there is some hope for CeeDee Lamb and the other Cowboys pass-catchers after all. While Rush himself usually shouldn’t be considered a fantasy starter, next week’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the pathetic New York Giants might provide QB2 value in superflex leagues. It will certainly be a classic battle of stoppable force vs. moveable object.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: 19 Carries, 86 Yards, Fumble (Lost) | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 12 Yards
Finding themselves ahead for much of the second half, Rico Dowdle got more work for the Cowboys than usual as Dallas attempted to run the clock down before the fireworks happened. The line isn’t anything special, but it is worth noting just how dominant of a share of the backfield work belonged to Dowdle. His workload will keep him as a low-end RB2/FLEX option most weeks, even in this inconsistent offense. The opportunity share is nice, at least.
Ezekiel Elliott: 3 Carries, 6 Yards
#FeedZeke (some orange slices on the sideline while he watches Dowdle take all the carries).
Hunter Luepke: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
CeeDee Lamb: 12 Targets, 10 Receptions, 67 Yards | 1 Carry, 1 Yard
For better or worse, this is the reality of Lamb’s experience in the Cooper Rush era. His high target volume is weighed down by the depth of those targets (or, more accurately, the lack thereof). If you’re in a PPR league, you can rest relatively easy knowing Lamb is as solid a floor-based WR2 as you can start right now. It sure would be nice to see him find the end zone again, though.
Kavontae Turpin: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards, KRTD
His impact on the box score wasn’t huge, but Turpin provided the first of several insane plays in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Fielding a kickoff, Turpin first muffed the ball, and it appeared the Cowboys were destined for an extremely poor field position. Turpin gathered the ball and hit the B button to put on one of the nastiest spin moves you’ll see before hitting the gap and accelerating down the field for a 99-yard return touchdown. It was the first of many wild plays in the fourth quarter of this game. Turpin’s best value as a fantasy asset is if you roster the Cowboys’ D/ST.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1860791407088156781
Luke Schoonmaker: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 55 Yards, TD
Schoonmaker had a quiet day before he hauled in a wide-open touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Cowboys up 20-9. It was a great throw by Rush and a great catch by the tight end. In three games without Ferguson, Schoonmaker has finished as the TE7, TE10, and TE8 (pending SNF and MNF). That sure feels like solid streamer value to me. If Ferguson can’t clear concussion protocol before Thanksgiving, he’ll be a solid play against the Giants.
Brevyn Spann-Ford: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
Jalen Tolbert: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 22 Yards, TD
Jonathan Mingo: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Jalen Brooks: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 41 Yards
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels: 25/38, 275 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs | 7 Carries, 74 Yards, TD, rushing 2PC
That’s more like it. After several weeks of fantasy mediocrity, we finally saw the ceiling of Daniels show up against the Cowboys. It wasn’t all pretty, however, and this performance comes with a couple of asterisks. First, the improbable 86-yard touchdown to McLaurin accounts for a decent chunk of his passing yardage. Second, he missed on a number of his throws and seemed to lack confidence in the first half. He also had two interceptions – the first came on a bad decision on a check-down throw to Robinson, but the second came on a Hail Mary on the last play of the game. Still, with all of these warts, Daniels was able to deliver a top-tier fantasy performance thanks to his legs. It would be great to see Daniels find more of a rhythm as a passer, but these are the growing pains that come with being a rookie quarterback. He will still rank as a top-tier option next week due to his dual-threat ability. Life, uh, finds a way?
Running Back
Brian Robinson Jr.: 5 Carries, 13 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
It seemed that BRob was seriously injured on his first carry of the game, but he was able to make it back out shortly after. Unfortunately, he saw limited opportunities from that point, mustering only 24 total scrimmage yards on five more touches. One has to wonder why he even came back out at all. Next week’s matchup against the Titans will be a challenge, as they just held Joe Mixon to 22 yards on 14 carries.
Austin Ekeler: 9 Carries, 22 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 2 Yards
Ekeler was thrust into the lead role with Robinson being less than 100%, but he wasn’t able to do much with his opportunities and saw limited work in the passing game. Ekeler suffered an injury of his own late in the game, absorbing a huge hit and needing several minutes before leaving the game. He’s in concussion protocol and will face an uphill battle to be ready for Week 13 against the Titans.
Jeremy McNichols: 3 Carries, 22 Yards
Perhaps we’ll see an increased role from Jeremy McNichols with one or both of the other backs missing next week, but against one of the league’s toughest run defenses and all 32 teams active, you will still want to look elsewhere to fill your running back and FLEX spots.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Terry McLaurin: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 102 Yards, TD
In the first 59:24 of game time, McLaurin recorded four catches for 16 yards and appeared to be headed for a second straight dismal performance. Of course, McLaurin then decided to take a pass 86 yards to the house to deliver his best fantasy performance since Week 6. It was an astounding turn of events only topped by the missed extra point that all but sealed the Commanders’ fate for the week. McLaurin is firmly in the weekly WR2 ranks as the top option in an explosive offense.
https://twitter.com/NFLFantasy/status/1860795110889508938
Noah Brown: 10 Targets, 6 Receptions, 71 Yards
This was Noah Brown‘s highest target total on the season, but it marked the fourth time in the last five games he’s received at least six looks. He’s not the sexiest option, but in deeper leagues, you could certainly do worse for a FLEX option with upside as the team’s WR2.
Zach Ertz: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 38 Yards, TD
For the second straight week, Zach Ertz delivered with a garbage time touchdown to satisfy the tight end streaming population. He is the poster child for “Touchdown or Bust” at this stage in his career.
Dyami Brown: 1 Carry, 14 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 22 Yards
Olamide Zaccheaus: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Luke McCaffrey: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards