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Cowboys at Redskins: Preview, Predictions, and More

By Stephen Forsha

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) and Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) and Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins

Both the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys didn’t play up to their potential in their season opener. Let’s be completely honest, both teams left their respective fan bases wanting more from their performances.

Related Story: Dallas Cowboys: 5 Week 1 Takeaways

The Cowboys lost by one point to the New York Giants, while the Redskins lost to the Steelers, 38-16. So neither team can really afford to start the season at 0-2. The Cowboys especially can’t take on another defeat as they’ve already lost to one NFC East foe.

Entering this game, the Cowboys lead the all-time series at 66-44-2, including last season when the two teams split their two meetings, each winning the road game. Since 2012, the Redskins and Cowboys are tied at 4-4 in eight meetings.

The Cowboys last week got a good, safe game from rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, while the Redskins got a good amount of passing yards from their starting signal-caller Kirk Cousins, but not much else. Both teams are still waiting for their starting quarterbacks to throw a touchdown pass this season, but more on that later.

This game should be an intense matchup, and for fans of these two rivals, it doesn’t get much better than when these two meet twice a season. Though it is early to say this is a “must-win” game, it kind of is in a way. No season will be ruined just yet. But being down 0-2 to start the season isn’t the best scenario for either squad.

Keys to Victory for the Cowboys

1. A better rushing game: It can’t be stressed enough the Cowboys must have a better rushing game in Week 2 because in the season opener there were just 101 rushing yards total between the offense. That won’t win games. Ezekiel Elliott and the offensive line need to be better. The coaches need to adjust better when teams stack the box and more of a passing game must be a threat for the rushing attack to work as planned.

2. A better defensive performance : The defense of the Cowboys was lucky to only see their team lose by one point, because they played worse than that. There were times when the defense played fine, but never to the point of being exciting. Yes, there was an interception, but the same defensive backfield also allowed three touchdown passes and a total of 316 yards.

3. Time to take more risks in passing game: It is simple, Dez Bryant needs to work more at getting open, and the Cowboys need to let Dak Prescott let loose on the defense of the Redskins more than he did against the Giants. There is no way Cole Beasley should get seven more receptions than Bryant and that needs corrected in some fashion this weekend.

Keys to Victory for the Redskins

1. Josh Norman shadowing Bryant: For the Redskins to win, they need to keep the football away from Bryant like the Giants did last weekend. Bryant totaled just one reception for eight yards, but the question for this week is will Norman cover Bryant the entire game? He didn’t do so against the Steelers and Antonio Brown. If Norman and the Redskins keep the ball away from Bryant, that will really hurt the offense of their rival.

2. A running game would be nice: For as bad as the running game of the Cowboys seemed to be last week, the Redskins did even worse on Monday Night Football. Their leading rusher was Matt Jones with seven carries for 24 yards, and one of those runs was for 12 yards. This game could be won in the trenches, and for Washington, they can’t afford to have a net total of 55 yards rushing overall.

3. Be better in the Red Zone: Washington was just 1-of-4 in the Red Zone last week, and being 25 percent from the 20-yard line won’t win football games, even against a defense like the Cowboys.

Odds

Point Spread: Washington: -3
Moneyline: Washington -155, Dallas +135
Over/Under: 45.5

Prediction

It is very simple—the team who establishes the run will win this game. Neither team even got close to dominating the game with their rushing attack to open the season, and they both lost. If a team can establish the run first, it will only help their passing game, and both could have been better a week ago as well. The Cowboys have a better chance to establish said running game, but they really need to prove it this week.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys: 27, Washington Redskins: 24

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