The 6-4 Washington Redskins suffered a narrow loss (23-21) to the Houston Texans at Fed Ex Field Sunday. They also lost their offensive leader, QB Alex Smith, who suffered a season-ending leg injury when his tibia and fibula were broken during the game.
The Burgundy and Gold have displayed a strong level of resilience all season long in the face of adversity and, on Thanksgiving Day, they will face another challenge. Traveling on a short week, they will take on the Dallas Cowboys who are coming off a last-second win over the Atlanta Falcons. In the first meeting between the Redskins and their bitter rival, Washington was able to put an end to a four-game losing streak, recording a 20-17 home win.
Now in Week 12, the Redskins will be looking to bring out the brooms and sweep the series for the first time since 2012. With first place in the NFC East on the line, to follow are some key areas that could lead to a Redskins victory Sunday:
1. Stop Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliot
The Redskins have given up 240 yards on the ground over the past two games. What must be considered is defensive coordinator Greg Manusky’s strategy of taking away the big play abilities of both of Washington’s previous opponents (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Texans) in the passing game.
Elliott has rushed for 273 yards over the past two games and the Cowboys are 4-1 when he has rushed for one hundred yards or more. Against the Redskins at FedEx Field in Week 7 however, he was held to 33 yards on 15 carries.
It will be imperative for Washington to make the Cowboys offense one-dimensional by putting the ball in QB Dak Prescott’s hands, something Dallas has not had much success doing this season. As well, the Redskins will need to pay attention to detail and be fundamentally sound in their tackling technique.
2. Remain Balanced Offensively
The Redskins new signal-caller, QB Colt McCoy, brings a different dynamic to the offense because of his knowledge of the playbook. Against the Texans, McCoy released the ball quickly and was unafraid to take smartly-thrown deep shots downfield.
That said, the Redskins need to remain balanced in their offensive approach, especially against a Dallas defense that is ranked No. 8 in total defense (331.1 YPG).
Establishing a formidable rushing attack with RB Adrian Peterson, coupled with a solid passing attack is a recipe for success in a hostile environment. The Future Hall of Famer was a vital part of the Redskins Week 7 matchup against the Cowboys, rushing for 99 yards on 24 carries. In Peterson’s last four games against the Cowboys, he has rushed for 375 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.41 yards per attempt.
3. Start Fast
Washington’s offense has too often gone three-and-out on their first drive of the game. It has been very difficult for Head Coach Jay Gruden’s offense to get off to a fast start with the team ranking No. 17 in the league in first-quarter points per game (4.8). Scoring early an often works as a two-edged sword on the road, putting pressure on the opposing team’s offense and immediately taking the crowd out of the game.
The Redskins have proven to be a better football team when they are playing with a lead. If Washington can ahead early, the Cowboys will have to lean more on their passing game, an area where they have struggled mightily (Dallas ranks No. 28 in passing yards per game with 193.7).