1. Can they win two straight? » Funny; a week ago the big question was could they win one game the rest of the season. Here’s our problem: The Redskins have not fared well against teams with a good quarterback and they give up too many big plays vs. good passing teams. Sunday’s game changed when Kyle Orton got hurt. And Washington had an uncharacteristic game when it came to penalties (only two) and turnovers (none). However, Dallas’ defense has a tougher time against I-formation teams, something the Redskins like to use a lot. Also, the Cowboys’ offensive line is banged up, too. Washington is 5-3 vs. Dallas in the last eight meetings — and both games last year were decided by five points or less — which means nothing other than recent history suggests a tight game.
2. Should Ladell Betts keep the starting job? » OK, they won’t have to address this issue right now with Clinton Portis likely out another week with a concussion. Jim Zorn is adamant that Portis will get his job back. He saw the holes the other day and knows that Portis would have gained as many yards, if not more. Betts did run with more energy, something the offense needed. But if Portis can practice, then he should start. If, as Zorn says, Portis’ inability to practice hurts the offense, and if he can’t work during the week, Betts should start. Period.
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3. How will Carlos Rogers respond to his benching? » This is not the same as Chris Horton being benched. Horton was a second-year guy and previous seventh-round draft pick. He might have felt he had ascended to a certain level; the Redskins reminded him he had not. But Rogers is a former first-round pick headed toward free agency (likely restricted) and was ticked down the stretch last season after being demoted to third corner and wanted out. Clearly the Redskins wanted to send Rogers a message; for whatever reason those double moves are giving him problems again. Will he heed that message? Or will he simply start the countdown to the end of the season? The good thing for Washington is that Rogers wants a nice big contract this offseason; he can’t get that by staying on the bench.
