The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 34-26 on Sunday, improving their record to 4-7.
While the Cowboys are unlikely to make a push for the playoffs due to their current record and injuries, the remaining games can drastically help the team in the future by providing valuable insight into key players and schemes.
Here are two significant takeaways from the Cowboys’ win in Week 12:
Necessary Defensive Personnel Already on the Roster
Dallas has struggled on the defensive side of the ball for a large portion of the season, allowing an average of 369.9 yards and 29 points per game through the first 12 weeks in a noticeable dropoff from last season.
However, many of this defense’s key players have been forced to miss significant time with injuries, including linebacker Micah Parsons, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, and cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland.
Dallas has also been implementing a new system under Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer, making players’ availability even more meaningful during this portion of the season.
Although Diggs was forced to miss Week 12 due to knee and groin injuries, the Cowboys added Bland back into the lineup for the first time this season and had Parsons available for a third straight game after his extended absence.
The addition of Bland and the continued presence of Parsons played a major role in why the Cowboys were able to slow down the Commanders for the majority of the game. An end-of-game scoring flurry from both teams increased the offense’s overall box score production.
Dallas managed to hold the Commanders, who boast one of the most explosive offenses this season, to just nine points with five minutes remaining before the two teams combined to score 31 points in the final minutes.
The Cowboys also have a history of putting together an explosive defense with the personnel currently on the roster. Last season, the team was one of the most effective units in the league at shutting down opponents.
Dallas held opponents to just 299.7 yards and 18.5 points per game last season with a very similar group of players on defense, demonstrating that these players can play well together on the defensive side of the ball.
While the defensive unit could benefit from adding players in the offseason, especially along the defensive line, the Cowboys already have many of the tools required to be successful.
Young Players Beginning To Step Up
As mentioned, the Cowboys have dealt with many injuries this season, forcing many young players to step into more meaningful roles than initially expected.
Some of these players struggled to find their footing early in the season against NFL competition and were scrutinized for their inability to compete at the highest level.
Week 12, however, was a step in the right direction for many of these players, including offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe.
Guyton and Beebe combined to play 63 total snaps at left tackle and center, allowing zero pressures and zero sacks on any of those snaps despite playing against a formidable Commanders defensive line, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris.
Another young standout player from Week 12 was defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who recorded three tackles and one stuff in the victory.
Smith has been heavily criticized for his lack of production since being selected by Dallas in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he is slowly becoming more impactful on the field as he plays more snaps.
In addition to recording three tackles in Week 12, Smith sometimes wreaked havoc by covering his gaps during Washington’s rushes while also getting downfield to help make multiple key stops.
The Cowboys may not have the best young players in the league, but the players who are already on the roster have grown into impactful players due to the injuries sustained by others on the team.
Dallas now has an important opportunity to continue supporting players’ growth this season while also evaluating potential players in the 2025 NFL Draft who can step in and play roles next year.