For the 117th time, the Washington Redskins will face their division rival Dallas Cowboys who lead the all-time series 70-44-2. The Burgundy and Gold have not fared well over the past five years as they have virtually been owned by the Cowboys only winning one out of the last four meetings between these two teams.
However, for Washington, it’s even bigger than the rivalry and early division lead as they have struggled to string together strong consecutive performances on the field this year. Head coach Jay Gruden and company have an opportunity to put an end to what has been a season of roller coaster performances.
With a win this Sunday at FedEx Field, the Redskins could increase an early season lead on the division and have an early advantage over the Cowboys in the tiebreaker department.
Here are several facets that if performed well could lead to the fourth Redskins victory on the year.
1. Staying out of 3rd and long situations
It’s no secret that the Redskins offense does not fare well when forced into third and long situations. Often times these long down and distances lead to negative plays or sacks. Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s unit has a defensive front that is aggressive and fundamentally sound in there attempts to apply pressure on the quarterback.
If the Redskins repeatedly get caught in third and long plays, it will fit into the strength of the Cowboys defense and really put added pressure on an offensive line that has struggled to protect quarterback Alex Smith over the first five games of the season. It will be imperative for the Redskins offense to remain balanced in there approach if they want to have success against a Cowboys defense that is sixth in the league in sack percentage ( 8.41%) and eighth in sacks per game (3.0).
2. More three TE personnel groupings
It could be said that the Redskins have some of the most versatile and well rounded TEs in the National Football League. Which is a very good explanation for the continued success that the offense has had when this personnel grouping is on the field? Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Jeremy Sprinkle not only present huge problems for defensive coordinators to defend in the passing game but due to the units much improved blocking in the run game, make it extremely difficult to stop the physical running style of future Hall of Fame RB Adrian Peterson.
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If the Redskins want to be able to present different types of blocking schemes to curb the stunting and twisting of the Cowboys defensive line, the three TE set is an added wrinkle that would make Marinelli’s group pause a bit in their aggressive downhill nature leaving them fearful of being beat over the top by Davis or Reed in the passing game.
3. Applying consistent pressure on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
The Washington Redskins have the overall fifth-ranked defense ( behind the Cowboys at number four) in the NFL and outside of the New Orleans Saints performance has played considerably well in defending the pass and stopping the run. Last Sunday against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, Washington managed to hold the dual-threat QB’s abilities to a minimum, only relinquishing 43 yards on nine attempts to the Auburn product.
Dak Prescott is no Cam Newton but his abilities to make plays with his feet should not be downplayed. Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan finally unleashed Prescott’s abilities to the tune of 82 yards and one touchdown on 11 attempts against the Jacksonville Jaguars in last Sunday’s 40-7 blowout victory.
Washington defense is ranked 25th in sacks per game (2.0) and will need to improve upon that to avoid this game turning into the Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott show. Greg Manusky’s unit will need to make the former Mississippi State product uncomfortable in the pocket forcing him to release the ball before he would like to. That would give the Redskins opportunistic secondary and chance to generate turnovers.
So far this season the Redskins rank eighth in the NFL in takeaways per game (1.8). They posted three in last weeks 23-17 home victory over the Panthers.