The Washington Redskins (5-6) look to keep their momentum building after a win against the New York Giants in Week 12 that catapulted them into first place in the NFC East. They will have to do so by defeating the Dallas Cowboys (3-8) who are fresh off a Thanksgiving loss where quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone again.
The matchup has some eery similarities to the first game between these two teams in 2014, except the roles are reversed. In Week 8, the first place Cowboys hosted the struggling Redskins on Monday Night Football. The Redskins were down to backup quarterback Colt McCoy, who was actually their third stringer to start the season, and they pulled off the miraculous 20-17 upset in overtime.
Can the Cowboys turn the tables on the Redskins in 2015?
Here are three keys to the game for both the Cowboys and Redskins:
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1. Revolve the game plan around Darren McFadden
In the Cowboys' only win since Week 2, McFadden racked up 149 total yards and 32 touches. In one score losses to the Giants and Eagles, McFadden totaled 284 yards and finished with 59 touches. With Romo out again, the Cowboys need to use McFadden as the focal point of the offense. This means that he should finish with around 30 total touches. McFadden gives the Cowboys their best chance to pull of the upset. Prior to a Week 12 matchup against a beat up Giants offensive line, the Redskins had allowed 470 yards rushing in their past three games. The Cowboys are an excellent run-blocking team, and they have the advantage in this one.
2. Use a safety over the top of DeSean Jackson at all times
In consecutive games, Jackson has turned in 50-plus yard touchdown strikes over the top with his signature go route. In Week 12, his 63-yard touchdown reception turned the momentum and ended up being the difference in the Redskins' win by six points. The Cowboys don't have a cornerback who can compete with Jackson one-on-one when he runs the go route or deep post pattern. The best option is to use a safety over the top of Jackson throughout the game.
3. Get Dez Bryant involved as the focal point of the passing game
Aside from one game, Bryant hasn't gotten going yet since returning from injury. However, head coach Jason Garrett said earlier this week that Bryant is getting more comfortable as he practices more. The Redskins just allowed Odell Beckham Jr. to get loose for 142 yards receiving and a touchdown. With a season-ending injury to top cornerback Chris Culliver, outside of Bashaud Breeland, the Redskins are very thin at the cornerback spot. The Cowboys should move Bryant around to get him in favorable matchups and feed him the football off the play-action pass.
1. Make sure Jordan Reed gets his targets
When Reed is a major part of the offense, the Redskins are a much better offense. Reed racked up 98 yards receiving on eight receptions in the team's Week 12 win. With Jackson back in the lineup and commanding attention for his ability to win deep, Reed is soaking up targets in the short and intermediate areas of the field -- he has not disappointed. Reed had just nine receptions for 64 yards in losses to the Patriots and Panthers. The Redskins can't get away from feeding him the ball in Week 13.
2. Stop the run first
The Redskins are riding high after holding the Giants to under 2.5 yards per carry in Week 12, but they shouldn't get ahead of themselves. That Giants unit was banged up along the offensive line. The Redskins need to make sure they don't allow the Cowboys to use the run to open up the passing game for Matt Cassel. One way to do this would be to use their safeties in the box more often. Against Cassel, the Redskins can also afford to use more run blitzes.
3. Make this an Alfred Morris game
The Redskins' backfield has evolved into a split between Morris and Matt Jones, with Chris Thompson spelling the two on obvious passing downs. Jones has offered big play around the edge and in the screen game. Morris has been the more efficient runner between the tackles. The Cowboys' run defense has continued to struggle between the tackles, even after adding Sean Lee back to the lineup, and the Redskins should take advantage of this matchup.
