The Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders meet Sunday in a critical NFC East showdown at AT&T Stadium. Dallas is currently 2-3-1, sitting third in the division, and desperately needs a win to stay in the playoff conversation.
**Dallas Defense and Running Game Struggles**
The Cowboys’ defense has struggled this season, allowing the second-most points in the league (30.7 PPG). While their running game has been solid overall, it sputtered in Week 6, managing just 31 rushing yards in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. With the team searching for answers, one key solution is finally ready to return.
### CeeDee Lamb: The Cowboys’ Ultimate X-Factor
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb makes his return after missing three games due to a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. Lamb practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday, and by all accounts, he appears ready to suit up Sunday.
Lamb spoke confidently about his return when addressing the media Thursday, confirming he’s prepared to face Washington. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also expressed enthusiasm about getting his top receiver back on the field.
The numbers illustrate why Schottenheimer is excited: before his injury, Lamb caught 16 passes for 222 yards across three games, surpassing 100 yards in both contests where he played all four quarters.
But Lamb’s value extends beyond statistics. He can beat defenses anywhere on the field — whether with short routes, deep routes, or contested catches in traffic. Defenses must dedicate extra attention to him on every snap, which opens up opportunities for others. This is the true X-factor: Lamb’s presence changes the entire defensive game plan before the ball is even snapped.
### How Lamb’s Return Transforms the Offense
In Lamb’s absence, George Pickens has stepped up brilliantly. Pickens caught nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 6, has scored touchdowns in five straight games, and ranks fourth in the league with 525 receiving yards.
However, Pickens’s emerging success actually makes Lamb’s return even more dangerous. Defenses will face a tough dilemma: double-cover Lamb underneath, and Pickens beats them deep; focus on Pickens over the top, and Lamb exploits intermediate routes. Try zone coverage, and both receivers find soft spots while quarterback Dak Prescott picks defenses apart.
This dynamic is what makes Lamb the true X-factor. He doesn’t just accumulate yards and catches—he forces defenses into losing decisions. Everyone on the offense benefits, including tight end Jake Ferguson, who gets cleaner looks when Lamb draws safety help. Even running lanes open up as defenses cannot stack the box.
Lamb’s impact on the offense explains why Dallas struggled so much without him these past three weeks.
### CeeDee Lamb Faces Ankle Injury Test Against the Commanders
For all the optimism, Lamb must prove he’s fully healthy against a solid Washington secondary. The Commanders have been effective in coverage this season and will tailor a specific game plan to contain the Cowboys’ star receiver.
Lamb will need to shake off any rust quickly—Washington won’t make things easy. His ankle injury remains the biggest question mark. High ankle sprains are notoriously tricky for receivers who rely on quick cuts and sharp plants.
While Lamb insists he’s ready and the medical staff has cleared him, Sunday’s game will reveal if he fully trusts that ankle. Any hesitation or reduced mobility could disrupt the precise timing he’s built with Prescott over the years.
Washington’s own injury situation may play in Lamb’s favor. Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ top receiver, has missed the last three games with a quad injury and will not play Sunday. Without McLaurin, Washington’s secondary has less depth to defend both Lamb and Pickens—a matchup advantage that could prove decisive in this close divisional game.
### The Stakes and Playoff Implications
The stakes in this game extend far beyond a single win. Dallas trails division leader Philadelphia by 1.5 games, and the Eagles haven’t been playing their best football lately. A loss would drop the Cowboys to 2-4-1, putting them three games behind with 11 games left—an uphill climb.
A win, however, keeps Dallas within striking distance and provides momentum heading into the second half of the season.
### Why CeeDee Lamb Determines the Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes
Lamb’s return won’t magically fix Dallas’ defensive woes or suddenly make their running game effective—those problems still require real solutions. But a high-powered offense can mask many weaknesses, at least in the short term.
Sunday will answer the most critical questions: Can Lamb move as before? Does he trust his ankle on sharp cuts? Will his timing with Prescott be spot on, or will it take a few series to click?
His practice reports and comments suggest he’s ready, but game speed tells the real story.
If Lamb looks like himself, the Cowboys have a genuine shot to turn their season around starting Sunday. If the ankle limits him or rust shows up at the wrong moments, Dallas’s margin for error vanishes.
The path forward runs directly through their All-Pro receiver—making CeeDee Lamb the ultimate X-factor in this vital NFC East showdown.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-x-factor-nfc-east-clash-commanders-week-7
