Keys to victory 1 Dominate inside » The Cowboys haven’t run well at all (2.3 yards per carry), and one reason is the lack of push they get from the guards and center. Dallas is fortunate that center Phil Costa can play along with guard Bill Nagy; both were in doubt early last week. But this is a young group. Nose tackle Barry Cofield needs to control the middle for the Redskins. Look for a lot of pressure coming through the inside gaps by the linebackers.
2 Control DeMarcus Ware » The Pro Bowl linebacker has nine sacks in 10 games vs. Washington and could be more dangerous now that the Cowboys are moving him around. That means it will be on left tackle Trent Williams and right tackle Jammal Brown to control Ware. It will be hard to control him one-on-one. If the Redskins can protect quarterback Rex Grossman, he can pick apart a weak secondary, even with the return of cornerback Terence Newman.
3 Attack the edges » Dallas has an athletic front seven and is capable of quick penetration inside. The Redskins somehow need to slow the potential pressure of the blitzes, especially from the outside linebackers. A few early screens would help. And the outside should be vulnerable in the passing game. Even with Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins starting, it has a lot to prove. Also, the Redskins must do a good job with their backside cuts against this front; otherwise the running game won’t go anywhere.
Key matchups
C Will Montgomery vs. NT Jay Ratliff
Montgomery has a strength advantage, but it’s Ratliff’s quickness that’s the worry.
If Ratliff’s disruptive, it will be a long night. He excels at penetrating gaps.
LB Brian Orakpo vs. LT Doug Free
Orakpo has applied good pressure in two games but hasn’t had a breakout game yet.
Free is Dallas’ best offensive lineman, but he is coming off a bad game (two hits, six pressures).
CB DeAngelo Hall vs. WR Dez Bryant
Hall’s off to an excellent start, save for one play vs. Arizona. He’ll see a lot of Bryant.
Bryant’s talented but injury prone. He caught eight passes in his one game vs. Washington in 2010.
Expert’s take
“They like giving the QB and pass protection a lot of different looks. That’s a critical matchup. Can they handle the front seven? And Sean Lee, the guy who replaced Keith Brooking [at inside linebacker], is a rock solid player and a lot younger. Dallas has issues at corner, but with [Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman playing] that will help.”
– ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski
Examiner predicts …
If the Redskins have something special going, this is a game to prove it. We like their mindset but have a tough time seeing them 3-0.
Dallas 23, Redskins 21
