Dallas Cowboys Vs. Washington Commanders - Week 7 NFL Predictions, Picks and Parlays

Cowboys Scramble After Diggs' Freak Injury

The Dallas Cowboys are in disarray with a strange and fundamental loss before they face the Washington Commanders in divisional play this week. Star corner man Trevon Diggs was knocked out of Sunday's fixture after experiencing a concussion in a strange incident at home. The news was verified by head coach Brian Schottenheimer on Friday and comes as a blow to Cowboys defense that cannot really do without a playmaker of Diggs' potential.

According to Schottenheimer, Diggs reported concussion-like symptoms on Friday morning and was immediately placed in concussion protocol. The team is still gathering information about the specifics of the incident. This is a tough blow for a Dallas secondary that has struggled with consistency this season.

Without Diggs, the pressure will be on a patchwork of youth and inexperience to rise to the occasion against an able Commanders pass attack. Kaiir Elam, who was traded in earlier in the year, will likely start across from DaRon Bland, with Reddy Steward, in his third team in two years, tending nickel. The club will also likely look to make Caelen Carson active from injured reserve to give them another body to have at this spot.

Diggs' missed timing could not come at a worse moment for a Cowboys defense that still seems to establish its identity. They were even at the bottom of the league in a number of important defense-related statistics and now have to play against an in-state rival minus one of its top talents. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders will certainly push this weakened Cowboys supporting cast into its comfort zone early and frequently.

On the offensive side, good news is on the horizon with the possible return of star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has missed games with a high-ankle sprain. Lamb practiced this week, and it would give a big lift to a Dallas offense that has had to rely heavily on George Pickens in his absence.

This NFC East showdown suddenly has a new face to it. What was previously a big league game to both teams now comes with the added soap opera drama of Cowboys needing to adapt on the fly to a big and surprising loss. "Next man up" will get put to the ultimate test this Sunday in Dallas.

Everything is thin on this game, almost anorexic. The moneyline is only -115 to -110 in favor of the Cowboys, which I think is right on. Washington's been playing well, but the Cowboys, despite losing Diggs, are getting warmed up. And the 1 point spread? That's an easy choice - take Dallas minus the points plus the moneyline for the win.