ESPN Take 2: Redskins vs. Cowboys By Scouts, Inc.
Washington at Dallas Matchups
QB - Even
RB - Redskins
WR - Even
OL - Redskins
DL - Dallas
LB - Dallas
DB - Dallas
ST - Dallas
Coach - Redskins
Overall - Dallas
Earlier this week, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Redskins and Cowboys. Now they're back with a second look.
Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders finally got to show off his scheme on Monday night. While QB Mark Brunell moved the offense down the field against the Vikings, three drives stalled in the red zone. The Redskins need to run the ball more efficiently to set up play-action, where Saunders can use fullback Mike Sellers and tight end Chris Cooley on flood routes.
The Redskins also need to use more bunch formations that utilize shallow crossing routes that let the receiver catch the ball on the run. Saunders does not have tall receivers, so the fade route is out. He needs to use the quickness and speed of Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd to get touchdowns.
• One of the biggest issues facing the Redskins this week is the inability to get off the field defensively. The Redskins' defense got the Vikings into 17 third-down situations but stopped only them eight times. Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams needs to play more man coverage, with the safeties doubling on Dallas WRs Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. This will make QB Drew Bledsoe hold onto the ball and let the pass rush get to him. If the Redskins can get the Cowboys into third-and-long situations, this would be the time for Williams to bring pressure and make Bledsoe rush his throws.
• Williams needs to balance putting pressure on Bledsoe with giving help to beleaguered corners Mike Rumph, Kenny Wright and Carlos Rogers. This group gave up four passes of 20-plus yards to four different receivers Monday and does not match up well with Owens and Glenn. If Williams does decide to pressure Bledsoe with a five- or six-man rush, the Redskins' defense needs to do a better job of disguising coverages.
• Dallas RB Julius Jones had a decent day running the football on a tough Jaguars defensive front. Jones had less than 100 yards, but he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. The Cowboys need to get their running game going this week to help take some pressure off Bledsoe. If the Cowboys can run the ball, this would allow them to go to the play-action pass, working Owens or Glenn on deep in routes behind the linebackers.
• The 3-4 defensive scheme that the Cowboys run is probably the best scheme to use against a Saunders-type of offense with all its shifting and movement. The 3-4 is a balanced front with two outside linebackers on either side of the center. So regardless of where Saunders starts his eligible receivers, all the shifting and motion should not have an effect on Dallas' defense. This will allow the Cowboys to play fast and concentrate on their reads and keys.
• The Cowboys need to get TE Jason Witten more involved in the passing game. He needs to be an outlet receiver who is in Bledsoe's field of vision. If the Redskins play more man-to-man coverage, Witten matches up well against the Redskins' linebackers and safeties. Witten is on of the top tight ends in the league, and Bledsoe needs to get him the ball more when the condition warrants it.
• The Redskins need to run the ball more this week. Against the Vikings, Washington's backs only touched the ball 18 times. The Redskins need to attack the Cowboys off tackle with RB Clinton Portis and let him find a running lane inside. The Redskins used the wide receiver reverse last week; look for them to fake the reverse and hand the ball off to Portis or Ladell Betts. This kind of misdirection will force a Cowboys defender to honor the reverse, thus creating softness just off tackle.
Special Teams
Redskins PK John Hall made three field goals Monday night, but he missed a 48-yarder that would have sent the game into overtime. The apparent return of PK Mike Vanderjagt, who missed the opener with a groin injury, should finally help a poor Cowboys kicking game.
The Cowboys need to get their return game going. They averaged only 16.3 yards per kickoff return, and Jamaica Rector averaged 5.5 yards on four punt returns. Field position is always a key to winning, and this week is no exception. Cowboys P Mat McBriar has an excellent leg with a net of 43.2 yards. He has a tendency to out-kick his coverage, which could give Randle El an opportunity for a big return.
Matchups
• Cowboys WR Terry Glenn vs. Redskins CBs Mike Rumph and Carlos Rogers
• Cowboys TE Jason Witten vs. Redskins SS Adam Archuleta
• Redskins RDE Andre Carter vs. Cowboys LOT Flozell Adams
• Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El vs. Cowboys OLB Marcus Spears
• Redskins pressure package vs. Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe
Scouts' Edge
Both these teams need a victory to get back to .500. This is the home opener for the Cowboys, who have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these teams. The key for both teams is to establish the run, protect their immobile quarterback, be better on third down and not give up the big play. Field position and special teams are going to be the deciding factor; it could come down to a last-second field goal.
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Redskins 17
QB - Even
RB - Redskins
WR - Even
OL - Redskins
DL - Dallas
LB - Dallas
DB - Dallas
ST - Dallas
Coach - Redskins
Overall - Dallas
Earlier this week, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Redskins and Cowboys. Now they're back with a second look.
Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders finally got to show off his scheme on Monday night. While QB Mark Brunell moved the offense down the field against the Vikings, three drives stalled in the red zone. The Redskins need to run the ball more efficiently to set up play-action, where Saunders can use fullback Mike Sellers and tight end Chris Cooley on flood routes.
The Redskins also need to use more bunch formations that utilize shallow crossing routes that let the receiver catch the ball on the run. Saunders does not have tall receivers, so the fade route is out. He needs to use the quickness and speed of Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd to get touchdowns.
• One of the biggest issues facing the Redskins this week is the inability to get off the field defensively. The Redskins' defense got the Vikings into 17 third-down situations but stopped only them eight times. Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams needs to play more man coverage, with the safeties doubling on Dallas WRs Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. This will make QB Drew Bledsoe hold onto the ball and let the pass rush get to him. If the Redskins can get the Cowboys into third-and-long situations, this would be the time for Williams to bring pressure and make Bledsoe rush his throws.
• Williams needs to balance putting pressure on Bledsoe with giving help to beleaguered corners Mike Rumph, Kenny Wright and Carlos Rogers. This group gave up four passes of 20-plus yards to four different receivers Monday and does not match up well with Owens and Glenn. If Williams does decide to pressure Bledsoe with a five- or six-man rush, the Redskins' defense needs to do a better job of disguising coverages.
• Dallas RB Julius Jones had a decent day running the football on a tough Jaguars defensive front. Jones had less than 100 yards, but he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. The Cowboys need to get their running game going this week to help take some pressure off Bledsoe. If the Cowboys can run the ball, this would allow them to go to the play-action pass, working Owens or Glenn on deep in routes behind the linebackers.
• The 3-4 defensive scheme that the Cowboys run is probably the best scheme to use against a Saunders-type of offense with all its shifting and movement. The 3-4 is a balanced front with two outside linebackers on either side of the center. So regardless of where Saunders starts his eligible receivers, all the shifting and motion should not have an effect on Dallas' defense. This will allow the Cowboys to play fast and concentrate on their reads and keys.
• The Cowboys need to get TE Jason Witten more involved in the passing game. He needs to be an outlet receiver who is in Bledsoe's field of vision. If the Redskins play more man-to-man coverage, Witten matches up well against the Redskins' linebackers and safeties. Witten is on of the top tight ends in the league, and Bledsoe needs to get him the ball more when the condition warrants it.
• The Redskins need to run the ball more this week. Against the Vikings, Washington's backs only touched the ball 18 times. The Redskins need to attack the Cowboys off tackle with RB Clinton Portis and let him find a running lane inside. The Redskins used the wide receiver reverse last week; look for them to fake the reverse and hand the ball off to Portis or Ladell Betts. This kind of misdirection will force a Cowboys defender to honor the reverse, thus creating softness just off tackle.
Special Teams
Redskins PK John Hall made three field goals Monday night, but he missed a 48-yarder that would have sent the game into overtime. The apparent return of PK Mike Vanderjagt, who missed the opener with a groin injury, should finally help a poor Cowboys kicking game.
The Cowboys need to get their return game going. They averaged only 16.3 yards per kickoff return, and Jamaica Rector averaged 5.5 yards on four punt returns. Field position is always a key to winning, and this week is no exception. Cowboys P Mat McBriar has an excellent leg with a net of 43.2 yards. He has a tendency to out-kick his coverage, which could give Randle El an opportunity for a big return.
Matchups
• Cowboys WR Terry Glenn vs. Redskins CBs Mike Rumph and Carlos Rogers
• Cowboys TE Jason Witten vs. Redskins SS Adam Archuleta
• Redskins RDE Andre Carter vs. Cowboys LOT Flozell Adams
• Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El vs. Cowboys OLB Marcus Spears
• Redskins pressure package vs. Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe
Scouts' Edge
Both these teams need a victory to get back to .500. This is the home opener for the Cowboys, who have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these teams. The key for both teams is to establish the run, protect their immobile quarterback, be better on third down and not give up the big play. Field position and special teams are going to be the deciding factor; it could come down to a last-second field goal.
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Redskins 17
posted by The Gryphon at 8:00 PM
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