Three things we know about the Cowboys
1. They can stop the run. Last season, the only running back to gain more than 100 yards against them was Clinton Portis. It happened in the season finale when Dallas rested most of its starters. The 3-4 front is geared to stop the run, but it’s the Cowboys’ talent that makes it work. Nose guard Tank Johnson can be difficult to control.
2. The running game is underrated. Between powerful Marion Barber and explosive Felix Jones, the Cowboys can beat teams on the ground attack alone. Barber runs behind a big, powerful line, but he also runs low to the ground and hard and averages 4.6 yards per carry. Jones is a gamebreaker; if he turns the corner, watch out.
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3. The secondary is questionable. Dallas’ corners are excellent — Anthony Henry, Terence Newman and Adam Jones form a solid group. But the safeties, Ken Hamlin and Patrick Watkins can be beaten. The trick is, giving the quarterback enough time to make it happen.
Outside the Beltway
» The Cowboys come in with all the confidence in the world. They rank No. 1 in offense, averaging 440 yards a game. They are outscoring opponents 32-21 on average. More than anything, though, they are playing loose and having fun. Coach Wade Phillips has set up a great environment in which this team thrives.
— John Clayton (ESPN.com)
» Despite his numbers against Green Bay, [Terrell Owens] still impacted the offense. Green Bay used a safety to stop T.O. from getting deep much of the night, giving them one fewer defender to stop the run. The result: Marion Barber rushed for a career-high 142 yards. T.O.’s presence also helps Jason Witten operate underneath more easily because he occupies one of the safeties, also the same reason Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton usually get single coverage.
— Jean-Jacques Taylor (Dallas Morning News)
Redskins notes
» Right tackle Stephon Heyer (shoulder) was limited in practice Thursday and might be a game-time decision. Heyer worked with the scout team early in practice while Jon Jansen worked with the starters.
Heyer sprained his shoulder in last weekend’s win over Arizona.
“He’s still questionable,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said of Heyer. “His range of motion is back, but it’s very sore. I hope he can do enough [today] to where we can find out more.”
» Receiver Malcolm Kelly (ankle) did not practice and it’s unlikely that he’ll play Sunday. The second-round pick has appeared in just one game this season, after sitting out the entire preseason, because of various leg injuries.
“He’s been diligent in getting his treatment, it’s just taking a while for it to come together,” Zorn said.
Fullback Mike Sellers (thigh), corner Fred Smoot (hip) and linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring) also were limited.
