OFFICIAL GDT - COWBOYS vs REDSKINS!!!

[Underdog]

Redskins vs. Cowboys
Cowboys Trying To Take Lead In NFC East

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GAME SET
WHAT: Washington Redskins (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-0)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver)


BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys may look unstoppable after a 3-0 start but the history of the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry suggests that anything can happen come Sunday afternoon. This year the NFC East is particularly tough with two undefeated teams (Cowboys and Giants) and two one-loss teams (Eagles and Redskins). Those two losses were to division foes, so no team in the division has lost a game to any team in the rest of the NFL. But for the Cowboys, one loss could put them right back in the pack instead of ahead. That would leave the Redskins, Cowboys and Eagles (if they beat the Bears on Sunday) all 3-1. The Giants, on a bye week, would then lead the division by a half-game. If the Cowboys win though, they would lead the division, going a half-game ahead of New York.

The Redskins have rebounded considerably well after a poor performance against the Giants in the season opener. The Washington offense looked incredibly inept versus New York, suggesting new head coach Jim Zorn was having trouble teaching his offensive system. Two games later, that doesn't seem to be the case. The Redskins have logged impressive wins over the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals, and while the Saints defense has been reeling following several injuries, the Cardinals actually have a talented secondary, making beating them while still learning a spread offense even more impressive for Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: The Cowboys' mantra is to stop the run first, and they did that last season, not allowing a 100-yard rusher for all but one game. That one game breaking the pattern was the season finale against the Redskins, and that one rusher was Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who barely broke the century mark with 104 yards. But, the Cowboys only played their starters for about a half, having sewn up home-field advantage, so Portis wasn't running against top competition. The Cowboys have yet to allow a big rushing day this season, and Portis has yet to gain 100 yards in a game in 2008.

While Portis may not be unstoppable, Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss certainly looks that way. Moss has caught a touchdown in every game so far this season, and going back to last season, he's caught a touchdown in six straight games, including the Redskins' loss to the Seahawks in the wild-card round of the playoffs. He also knows how to score against the Cowboys, with four touchdowns in six career games, including one in each game last season.

ONE-ON-ONE: Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware is a high-motor player, and it's hard for any NFL player, at any position, to keep up with him. The person who will try on Sunday is Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels. Ware did register a sack against Samuels in the full game he played against Washington at Texas Stadium last season, but he was having such a hard time getting past him that he had to take an IV during the game. Since the Redskins have switched to a spread system, the ball figures to come out of Campbell's hands much more quickly since the Redskins will send out their tight ends and backs on receiving routes instead of keeping them in to protect. That means if Ware wants to get to Campbell, he'll have to do it quickly, getting by Samuels first, and possibly having to deal with chip blocks from Portis. Ware also had a sack against Samuels in limited time in the 2007 season finale.

Cowboys running back Marion Barber rarely takes negative yardage on a run, so when he breaks past the line of scrimmage it will be up to Redskins linebacker London Fletcher to stop him most of the time. Fletcher leads his team in tackles with 31, nine more than the second-place guy, linebacker Rocky McIntosh. Barber hasn't fared well historically running the ball against the Redskins, averaging only 3.3 yards a carry. But now Barber has first-round pick Felix Jones as a complement, and if the Cowboys give Jones more carries, and they will, defenses will be kept off balance enough for Barber to be as effective as always.

SUPPORTING ROLE: After a one-week hiatus, Cory Procter is back in the starting lineup at left guard. Starter Kyle Kosier came back from a foot injury to play against the Packers last week, but he re-injured his foot late in the game and is out for at least three more weeks. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips named Procter the starter immediately after the Packers game, although he did say guard Montrae Holland, acquired in a trade with Denver before the start of the season, will receive some snaps at the position.

With starting right defensive end Jason Taylor ruled out for what would have been his first Redskins-Cowboys game following calf surgery to relieve compartment syndrome, the Redskins will lean on former Cowboys defensive lineman Demetric Evans. Zorn said Erasmus James and Chris Wilson will also get snaps at the position, possibly in pass-rush situations. Evans has five tackles so far in relief duty.

HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys may rely on their sub-packages a lot in this game. The Redskins have two potent receiving threats, especially with this new spread offense, in Moss and tight end Chris Cooley, who Zorn likes to split out into the slot. While the Cowboys want to take away Moss and Cooley, they don't want to make themselves vulnerable to big runs by Portis, so they'll likely line up in their nickel formation often, where Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman slides over to the slot, corner Adam Jones covers the left sideline and safety Pat Watkins comes out, leaving only free safety Ken Hamlin high. This gives the Cowboys the ability to keep their seven-man front in the game while still being able to better defend the pass.

The last time the Redskins faced Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens, the 34-year-old receiver scored four touchdowns. Washington will likely do anything possible to prevent that from happening again, double- and triple-teaming him at times and shading safeties to his side of the field. But if the Redskins have to go to such great lengths to keep Owens in check like Green Bay did last week, it may hurt them elsewhere, as the added attention will open opportunities in the middle of the field for tight end Jason Witten and plenty of running space for Barber and Felix Jones.


HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys
Two of the three Cowboys who were out last week are out again - starting strong safety Roy Williams (forearm), and starting fullback Deon Anderson (knee). Also out is starting left guard Kyle Kosier who re-injured his foot against the Packers. Only one player is listed as questionable, and that's backup nose tackle Tank Johnson, who sprained his ankle against the Packers, practicing on a limited basis Wednesday and Friday, but not practicing at all on Thursday. The four other Cowboys on the injury report figure to play, all being listed as probable - backup wide receiver Sam Hurd (ankle), backup linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee), starting tight end Jason Witten (shoulder) and backup safety Pat Watkins (neck), who will start in place of Williams.

Redskins
As previously mentioned, Taylor will be out with a calf injury. As for other injured Redskins, rookie wide receiver Malcolm Kelly (ankle) is listed as doubtful after not practicing Thursday and Friday and likely won't play. Two players are questionable after limited practice participation - backup tackle Stephon Heyer (ankle) and starting linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring). If Heyer plays, chances are it will only be a backup, with Jon Jansen taking his place. Backup cornerback Fred Smoot (hip), starting fullback Mike Sellers (thigh) and backup defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery (missed practice for non-injury reasons) are listed as probable.

[Male30Dan]

I will be at this one too... Here is to a another great game won by America's Team!

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Why does it say the Cowboys are trying to take the lead in the NFC East? We're already in the lead.

[ty]

Cowboys destroy the Foreskins.

[alby]

[chumdawg]

The Redskins of Washington, convinced as they are of the righteousness behind their evil designs, shall lie tattered and strewn in the wake of our God-fearing wrath, their entrails exposed as sacrifice to the gods on high. Their immoral deeds shall be punished, by hook and crook, until such time as they cry aloud for the mercy that shall never come. In this holy battle we take no prisoners. Rather, we meet with a vengeance those who threaten our hallowed grounds.

Let them know, one and all and to the furthest reaches of their land, that these grounds--our grounds--shall be defended until the last man stays standing. They will not consecrate this holy ground.

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

The Redskins of Washington, convinced as they are of the righteousness behind their evil designs, shall lie tattered and strewn in the wake of our God-fearing wrath, their entrails exposed as sacrifice to the gods on high. Their immoral deeds shall be punished, by hook and crook, until such time as they cry aloud for the mercy that shall never come. In this holy battle we take no prisoners. Rather, we meet with a vengeance those who threaten our hallowed grounds.

Let them know, one and all and to the furthest reaches of their land, that these grounds--our grounds--shall be defended until the last man stays standing. They will not consecrate this holy ground.

Translation:

The Redskins aren't nearly the test we've had the last two weekss. We should win this game by 30, and easily. This is pretty much a non-event.

You can get all hyped up if you want, but there's no point.

[alby]

^ Translation:

The NFC sucks and every game that the Cowboys win means nothing! Nothing I tell yah!

[Caseman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJQVlVHsFF8

Redskins win by 3

[ames7]

Bradie James!

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Originally Posted by Caseman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJQVlVHsFF8

Redskins win by 3

Hope you don't go with your gut feelings often.

Stick with logic.

[ames7]

YESSSS! Bonus: Witten is on my fantasy team!

[BGMaverick9]

Great work by Romo just picking apart the secondary.
Campbell looks like he could be in for a long day as well.

[Windmill360]

lol what a hit.

keith davis > r. williams.

[GermanDunk]

punt - commercial - return - commercial ...

[bcrav4]

Didn't his knees just touch the ground on the TD celebration?

[FINtastic]

Man, Washington is hanging tough today. I wish we could get TO more involved, but Washington is doing a good job covering him today (I guess they learned their lesson after getting shredded by him in the last game).

[FINtastic]

The Dallas defense is so fast in pursuit. If only their corners weren't completely blowing so many assignments today...

[ames7]

Jeez, what is going on? Get it together, Defense!

[FINtastic]

Can we get a run or two for Felix? Heck, even a few more carries for Barber? I'd like to see us try to establish the run a little.

Oh, and our corners can't stay on Santana Moss for the life of them.

[FINtastic]

Is Newman still hurting badly because he hasn't really been looking all that great lately.

[Bayliss]

Terrance Newman is so overrated it isn't even funny.

[Bayliss]

If Dallas's defense ever decides to actually stop someone, they will win a Super Bowl.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Terrance Newman is so overrated it isn't even funny.

Ridiculously so. I've been saying for years that he is the black hole of the defense. He seems to always give up the big play down the field.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Ridiculously so. I've been saying for years that he is the black hole of the defense. He seems to always give up the big play down the field.

For years? Really, name these big plays before this year. He's always been a VERY good cover corner, but I'm starting to wonder if all these injuries aren't hampering him.

[FINtastic]

Are our receivers really doing that poor of a job getting open? For a guy like Romo who is pretty good going through his progressions to have to spend that much time looking for his receivers is a little ridiculous.

[FINtastic]

Yeah Crayton normally you try to catch the ball before you step out of bounds and stop the clock.

[FINtastic]

I love how cool Romo is when he runs the 2 minute drill. He's money when it comes to putting points on the board at the end of the first half.

[jleefilled]

This new iteration of the Redskins is pretty impressive. The Cowboys need to try to grind this game out. I don't see Washington giving up any big plays in the second half. I hope I'm wrong.

[Bayliss]

Maybe they should just run the 2 minute drill the entire game.

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Maybe they should just run the 2 minute drill the entire game.

Was it the Colts that used to actually do that -- run the no huddle the entire game?

[FINtastic]

I'd be all for that Bayliss.

[FINtastic]

I think the Giants did it with Manning for large chunks of the game at one point in his career if I remember correctly.

[FINtastic]

Finally TO gets loose on them.

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

I think the Giants did it with Manning for large chunks of the game at one point in his career if I remember correctly.

that's true...

[jleefilled]

excellent play calling JG

[FINtastic]

You know I've always wondered, does Dallas just sleepwalk through the first half or is Wade Phillips that great of a halftime motivator and nobody knows about it?

[ames7]

I feel much better now. Nice finish!

[Windmill360]

nice TD.


I don't care what anyone says.. Aikman is biased against the cowboys as an announcer. I know i've said it before some time.

[jleefilled]

I think Romo showed Garrett something during that two-minute drill at the end of the first half.