Redskins-Cowboys second quarter review

Published December 27, 2009 5:00am ET



Halftime: Cowboys 14, Redskins 0

1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | Game story

» LaRon Landry does an excellent job taking on blocks near the line of scrimmage. He’s done that in other games vs. bigger players so shedding the fullback wasn’t a big deal. But it was impressive how he did that, then ignored the stiff arm of Felix Jones and tackled him for a 2-yard gain. Nice play. It’s what he does best.

» Nice run by Santana Moss. Did a good job making it seem like he was going to cut up. But the way the line blocked it appeared they were setting up a cutback lane behind them. Had a nice wall created.

» Quinton Ganther, at least on his first carry of the second half, did not do a good job pressing the hole when he tried to cut back. Never made it seem like he was going to hit the hole.

» Dallas seems like it will send extra rushers whenever it thinks Washington will keep in only five blockers. Again, just like the Giants last week. And just like last week it worked on the third and 6; Campbell had to unload a hurried pass.

» The Redskins’ linebackers are playing a little closer to the line of scrimmage vs. Dallas compared to the last meeting. My guess? They want to hit the holes before the Dallas linemen get to them. Too often the Cowboys engulfed the linebackers. But the Redskins are missing too many tackles to make this effective.

» LaRon Landry simply whiffed on Jason Witten at the line of scrimmage. Give Witten credit; on the next play, he blocked Rocky McIntosh and created the final opening for Marion Barber on the three-yard scoring run.

» Will Montgomery is in for Mike Williams (out with a toe injury). Gave up the tackle on the third-down draw to Rock Cartwright; again, the Redskins can’t sustain blocks vs. Dallas’ front seven. It’s, um, a problem.

» Andre Carter is having a pretty good game rushing the passer. He’s getting around the edge, especially on the left side, enough to bother Tony Romo.

» Believe it or not, that was Reed Doughty’s first career interception. And he got hurt. Nice.

» That was some tough blocking on the sack of Jason Campbell. Rock Cartwright vs. Anthony Spencer is a mismatch. But it appeared Cartwright was just chipping and releasing. That would have been fine had Levi Jones not allowed pressure to the middle. Campbell had nowhere to go.
 
» Great read by DeMarcus Ware on the screen to Rock Cartwright. He saw Cartwright run to the right, a clear screen setup, and he immediately got over there. Dallas is just too fast for Washington up front.

» Dallas really messed up that last drive. Two drops and a boneheaded play on the final snap. Miles Austin has to go out of bounds, but Romo also can’t put a receiver in position where he might not get out of bounds. A simple 5-yard out would have been better.

» Anyone seen Albert Haynesworth tonight? If you’re going to pop off, you’d best make some plays.