Washington and Dallas come into Sunday’s NFC East rematch at AT&T Stadium carrying 0-1 records after losing their openers to division rivals. Washington fell 24-22 at Philadelphia when a late two-point conversion was stuffed. Dallas dropped a 28-20 Sunday-night NFL odds decision to the New York Giants in which Dak Prescott threw a costly interception. And the new-look defense under Christian Parker struggled to get off the field.
Following a slow start, Jayden Daniels finished the Eagles game with 164 passing yards and two touchdowns. And Jacory Croskey-Merritt provided a spark on the ground. The Commanders’ defense showed some early toughness. Still, they surrendered enough explosive plays to lose a one-score game.
Dallas’s offense was similarly out of rhythm: Prescott managed 175 yards and two scores. But the Cowboys generated only 244 total yards. Namely, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were held in check for long stretches. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams found little room. The Dallas defense allowed the Giants to convert nine of eleven third downs and control the clock in the second half.
The Cowboys have historically owned this series and have taken twelve of the last sixteen meetings. But both teams look different than they did a year ago. Additionally, both just absorbed the kind of opening loss that can linger if they drop a second straight division game.
Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 4:25 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | +3½ ( -106 ) | 50½ ( -115 ) | +169 |  |
| Dallas Cowboys | -3½ ( -120 ) | 50½ ( -111 ) | -211 | |
| ||||
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys is Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season, kicking off at 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The Online Wagering matchup is scheduled to air on FOX.
Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys Matchup Analysis
The central NFL Betting tension Sunday is whether Dallas can keep Washington’s offense on the sideline the way the Giants just did to the Cowboys. Or whether Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ ground game can flip that script inside AT&T Stadium.
Washington controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes against Philadelphia. The Commanders leaned on Jacory Croskey-Merritt to stay in a one-score game. By contrast, Dallas held the ball only 23 minutes against New York and allowed 165 rushing yards plus nine of eleven third-down conversions.
The Commanders must again win the time-of-possession battle and force the Cowboys’ rebuilt front into long series. For that reason, they can take away what Dallas does best. That is letting Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb dictate tempo.
Christian Parker’s Dallas defense spent last Sunday leaving the flats uncovered while chasing vertical routes. Daniels is the kind of quarterback who will punish that exact mistake. Specifically, with designed keepers and checkdowns if the edge rush does not stay disciplined.
On the other hand, Prescott faces a Washington defense that limited Philadelphia to ten first downs. However, they surrendered seven explosive plays. The Commanders’ new scheme under Daronte Jones mixes pre-snap movement and pressure. Yet those same disguises produced busted coverages that Jalen Hurts exploited down the middle. Lamb and George Pickens will test whether Washington’s secondary can stay connected after those breakdowns.
Dallas’s offensive line looked rusty without Tyler Smith early against the Giants. It follows that they must give Prescott a clean pocket. The Cowboys should be able to attack the same seams the Eagles found.
SBG Free Picks
At first glance, Dallas is the more talented home team and should win. But the 3.5-point number feels thin. Especially after the Cowboys just got pushed around in Week 1. Thus, Wise Guys like Washington plus the points and the Under the Total.
SBG Best Bet: Washington Commanders and Under the Total.