Cowboys vs. Redskins: Tradition-Rich NFC East Rivalry Continues Sunday
Zach Buchanan - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
November 17, 2007 12:11 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Washington Redskins (5-4) at Dallas Cowboys (8-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver)
BIG ISSUE: Although the Cowboys have a three-game lead over the Redskins in the division race, they know better than to expect anything less than one of the most difficult and hard-fought games of the season. No matter who's where in the standings, both teams are always eager to take part in the NFL's most potent rivalry. The Cowboys will be taking the 5-4 Redskins very seriously on Sunday in order to extend their lead over them to four games in the NFC East.
This is a must-win for the Redskins. A win over the Cowboys, coupled with a Giants loss in Detroit, would tie Washington with New York for second place in the division at 6-4, only two games behind the NFC East-leading Cowboys with six games left to play (including the season finale against the Cowboys at Washington, a potential two-game swing). A loss, however, would be devastating, dropping the Redskins to .500 and possibly tying them for last place in the division if the Eagles beat Miami. They then would be four games back of the division lead, which would be next to insurmountable with six games remaining. So the Redskins must do everything they can to overcome their injuries, their offensive stagnation and most of all, the Dallas Cowboys.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: Before the Cowboys can beat the Redskins, they have to make sure they don't beat themselves. The Cowboys are the third-most penalized team in the league with 66 flags for 538 yards, losing just less than 60 yards a game due to penalties. Every player will have to mind his P's and Q's, since ill-timed penalties cost them their only loss this season against the Patriots, and also cost them last season's match-up against the Redskins.
The Redskins secondary was thought to be one of the best in the league at the beginning of the season, and although the Skins are ranked 22nd in overall pass defense, giving up 218 passing yards a game, they are a good deal better than the numbers show. In fact, if you eliminate Washington's game against the Patriots, they allow an average of only 1.25 touchdowns per game, along with grabbing one interception every contest.
ONE-ON-ONE: Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is having one of his best seasons so far with three straight 100-yard performances, and it will be up to the injury-depleted Redskins secondary to make sure his streak doesn't extend to four. Without safety Sean Taylor and corner Carlos Rogers, corner Shawn Springs and rookie safety LaRon Landry will have to pick up the slack. Springs, son of former Cowboys running back Ron Springs, who has fallen into a coma for the past month, will be playing with a heavy heart in front of his family in Dallas, so don't be surprised if he makes some big plays for his dad.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis is as healthy as he's been and is third in the league with 766 rushing yards. Portis gets a lot of carries every game, so defensive ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears will face the task of making sure he doesn't do much with the ball when he touches it. Despite all the yards and all the carries, Portis only averages 85 yards per game, and the Cowboys have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. The Cowboys have given up more than 100 yards rushing in three games this year, and the Giants are responsible for two of those.
SUPPORTING ROLE: With starting guard Leonard Davis (ankle) questionable after only having limited participation in practice Friday, third-year lineman Cory Procter might have to fill the void if Davis can't play. Procter has only played on the line in one game so far this season, but it was at center, where he also moonlights as the main backup. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Procter is completely ready to start, but has also said that it is a possibility Davis could play without extensive practice. The Cowboys' offensive line has been intact all season.
The Redskins' wide receiver position seems to have a higher turnover rate than the local McDonald's. The Redskins have had four of their six wide receivers injured at some point this season. Heading into Sunday's game they definitely will be without Brandon Lloyd (fracture clavicle), placed on injured reserve this week, along with veteran James Thrash, who suffered a high ankle sprain against the Eagles last Sunday. Starter Santana Moss might be able to play, but he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. That leaves the Redskins with Antwaan Randle El, Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell. Both McCardell and Caldwell are exceedingly experienced, but both only joined the team at the beginning of the season after being claimed off waivers. The Redskins also just signed free agent Jimmy Farris. This likely means the Redskins will concentrate on getting the ball to tight end Chris Cooley, who has had previous success against the Cowboys.
HEADSET GAMES: With Redskins starting safety Sean Taylor out for Sunday's game, the Cowboys will be looking to attack the middle of the field. Instead of staying in to block like he did against the Giants in Week 10, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will probably release more as a receiver, and it's well known Witten is a favorite target of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Also don't be surprised to see Owens and Patrick Crayton running a few crossing routes to take advantage of gaps in the secondary.
The Redskins really don't have much of an option as to what to do offensively; they have to run it. They Cowboys know this and may load up defensively to stop the run, trying to put the ball in the hands of the inexperienced quarterback Jason Campbell. While Campbell has shown promise throughout the season, especially in the hurry-up offense of late, he didn't complete a touchdown pass to a wide receiver until last week against the Eagles. If the Cowboys can force them to throw, their job will become a lot easier.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
It's no surprise wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) still is out. After injuring his ankle in practice on Wednesday, starting guard Leonard Davis only had limited participation in practice Friday and is listed as questionable. Both corner Anthony Henry (ankle) and rookie wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) practiced fully Friday and are listed as probable. Henry is expected to contribute in the nickel only, and Phillips has not said whether Stanback will resume his kickoff return duties.
Redskins
Starting free safety Sean Taylor (knee), guard Randy Thomas (triceps) and backup wide receiver James Thrash (ankle) are out for Sunday's game. Starting left guard Pete Kendall (ankle), starting wide receiver Santana Moss (heel), starting right corner Fred Smoot (hamstring) and starting linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring) all participated fully in practice Friday and are listed as probable for the game.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
November 17, 2007 12:11 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Washington Redskins (5-4) at Dallas Cowboys (8-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver)
BIG ISSUE: Although the Cowboys have a three-game lead over the Redskins in the division race, they know better than to expect anything less than one of the most difficult and hard-fought games of the season. No matter who's where in the standings, both teams are always eager to take part in the NFL's most potent rivalry. The Cowboys will be taking the 5-4 Redskins very seriously on Sunday in order to extend their lead over them to four games in the NFC East.
This is a must-win for the Redskins. A win over the Cowboys, coupled with a Giants loss in Detroit, would tie Washington with New York for second place in the division at 6-4, only two games behind the NFC East-leading Cowboys with six games left to play (including the season finale against the Cowboys at Washington, a potential two-game swing). A loss, however, would be devastating, dropping the Redskins to .500 and possibly tying them for last place in the division if the Eagles beat Miami. They then would be four games back of the division lead, which would be next to insurmountable with six games remaining. So the Redskins must do everything they can to overcome their injuries, their offensive stagnation and most of all, the Dallas Cowboys.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: Before the Cowboys can beat the Redskins, they have to make sure they don't beat themselves. The Cowboys are the third-most penalized team in the league with 66 flags for 538 yards, losing just less than 60 yards a game due to penalties. Every player will have to mind his P's and Q's, since ill-timed penalties cost them their only loss this season against the Patriots, and also cost them last season's match-up against the Redskins.
The Redskins secondary was thought to be one of the best in the league at the beginning of the season, and although the Skins are ranked 22nd in overall pass defense, giving up 218 passing yards a game, they are a good deal better than the numbers show. In fact, if you eliminate Washington's game against the Patriots, they allow an average of only 1.25 touchdowns per game, along with grabbing one interception every contest.
ONE-ON-ONE: Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is having one of his best seasons so far with three straight 100-yard performances, and it will be up to the injury-depleted Redskins secondary to make sure his streak doesn't extend to four. Without safety Sean Taylor and corner Carlos Rogers, corner Shawn Springs and rookie safety LaRon Landry will have to pick up the slack. Springs, son of former Cowboys running back Ron Springs, who has fallen into a coma for the past month, will be playing with a heavy heart in front of his family in Dallas, so don't be surprised if he makes some big plays for his dad.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis is as healthy as he's been and is third in the league with 766 rushing yards. Portis gets a lot of carries every game, so defensive ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears will face the task of making sure he doesn't do much with the ball when he touches it. Despite all the yards and all the carries, Portis only averages 85 yards per game, and the Cowboys have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. The Cowboys have given up more than 100 yards rushing in three games this year, and the Giants are responsible for two of those.
SUPPORTING ROLE: With starting guard Leonard Davis (ankle) questionable after only having limited participation in practice Friday, third-year lineman Cory Procter might have to fill the void if Davis can't play. Procter has only played on the line in one game so far this season, but it was at center, where he also moonlights as the main backup. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Procter is completely ready to start, but has also said that it is a possibility Davis could play without extensive practice. The Cowboys' offensive line has been intact all season.
The Redskins' wide receiver position seems to have a higher turnover rate than the local McDonald's. The Redskins have had four of their six wide receivers injured at some point this season. Heading into Sunday's game they definitely will be without Brandon Lloyd (fracture clavicle), placed on injured reserve this week, along with veteran James Thrash, who suffered a high ankle sprain against the Eagles last Sunday. Starter Santana Moss might be able to play, but he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. That leaves the Redskins with Antwaan Randle El, Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell. Both McCardell and Caldwell are exceedingly experienced, but both only joined the team at the beginning of the season after being claimed off waivers. The Redskins also just signed free agent Jimmy Farris. This likely means the Redskins will concentrate on getting the ball to tight end Chris Cooley, who has had previous success against the Cowboys.
HEADSET GAMES: With Redskins starting safety Sean Taylor out for Sunday's game, the Cowboys will be looking to attack the middle of the field. Instead of staying in to block like he did against the Giants in Week 10, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will probably release more as a receiver, and it's well known Witten is a favorite target of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Also don't be surprised to see Owens and Patrick Crayton running a few crossing routes to take advantage of gaps in the secondary.
The Redskins really don't have much of an option as to what to do offensively; they have to run it. They Cowboys know this and may load up defensively to stop the run, trying to put the ball in the hands of the inexperienced quarterback Jason Campbell. While Campbell has shown promise throughout the season, especially in the hurry-up offense of late, he didn't complete a touchdown pass to a wide receiver until last week against the Eagles. If the Cowboys can force them to throw, their job will become a lot easier.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
It's no surprise wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) still is out. After injuring his ankle in practice on Wednesday, starting guard Leonard Davis only had limited participation in practice Friday and is listed as questionable. Both corner Anthony Henry (ankle) and rookie wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) practiced fully Friday and are listed as probable. Henry is expected to contribute in the nickel only, and Phillips has not said whether Stanback will resume his kickoff return duties.
Redskins
Starting free safety Sean Taylor (knee), guard Randy Thomas (triceps) and backup wide receiver James Thrash (ankle) are out for Sunday's game. Starting left guard Pete Kendall (ankle), starting wide receiver Santana Moss (heel), starting right corner Fred Smoot (hamstring) and starting linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring) all participated fully in practice Friday and are listed as probable for the game.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:58 AM
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