Cowboys vs. Commanders NFL Week 18 odds: Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell to share QB duties for Washington with Carson Wentz era likely over

After the Commanders lost on Sunday at home to the Cleveland, Washington coach Ron Rivera wasn't aware that his team would be eliminated from playoff contention if Green Bay won later that day, which the Packers did. Thus, this Sunday's home game against Dallas is meaningless for Washington. Rivera will start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, but he'll also let the fan base get a look at rookie quarterback Sam Howell. The Cowboys are -5.5 at Caesars Sportsbook and plan to play their starters.

It's pretty clear at this point that the one-season Carson Wentz experiment is over in Washington, and last March's trade with Indianapolis will go down as one of the worst in franchise history. The deal sent Wentz, a 2022 second-round pick (which was used on defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis), and a 2022 seventh-round pick (cornerback Christian Holmes) from Indy to Washington for a 2022 second-round pick (used on wide receiver Alec Pierce), a 2022 third-round pick (tight end Jelani Woods) and a 2023 conditional third-round pick. The Commanders also absorbed a $28 million cap hit.

Wentz hadn't started a game for Washington since Week 6 in Chicago due to injury, but Rivera decided to bench Heinicke and start Wentz this past Sunday against the Browns. The decision was disastrous. Wentz 16-for-28 for 143 yards and three picks. He'll be inactive Sunday, and the Commanders can cut him without any money counting toward their 2023 salary cap. That's all but a done deal. Rivera, who said he had "no regrets" about starting Wentz, likely will be coaching his final game with the team as well with the franchise up for sale. New owners like to hire their own people.

It's frankly baffling that Rivera isn't starting Howell simply to see what the former North Carolina star has. It's pretty clear what Heinicke is -- a solid backup quarterback who also happens to be a free-agent-to-be. It's not clear how long Heinicke will play until Howell gets his shot. He was Heinicke's backup for seven games before Wentz returned from his injury. Howell looked good this preseason but hasn't thrown a regular-season pass.

Dallas still has a shot at the NFC East title and perhaps even the No. 1 overall seed, but needs to win and get unlikely help from the Giants in Philadelphia and Cardinals in San Francisco. The top wild card seed and a trip to Tampa next weekend seem to be the most likely outcomes, but owner Jerry Jones says the team will not rest starters on Sunday.

"There's too much to play for," Jones said. "I like to have the best advantage going into playoffs, so I'd like to have a home game. I'd certainly love to get a bye."

The Eagles are playing the Giants at the same time Sunday, so if Philly gets out to a big early lead, expect Dallas coach Mike McCarthy to pull his starters. 

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