Redskins vs. Cowboys: PreGame Thoughts
I’ve grown tired of the commentary provided about the Skins / Cowboys matchup this week by those that don’t fully understand the nature of the NFC East rivalries. They seem to believe that the game can be “analyzed” as if it was just any other game. My comments below in response to the ‘Game of the Week’ matchup analysis at CBS Sportsline.
The Redskins haven’t lost in two weeks. The Cowboys haven’t lost, period. This is a barometer of the NFC East to see if we’re really missing something when we don’t include Washington among the division heavyweights.
We’ve heard this all week. I personally don’t think one game between bitter rivals tells anyone anything. Back in the 80’s and early 90’s, the NFC East defied all logic. The New York Giants, coached by Bill Parcells seemed to be able to defeat the Redskins, more times than not. The Redskins, led by Coach Gibbs, seemed to be able to handle the Philadelphia Eagles more times than not. Now, if ‘A’ equals ‘B’ and ‘B’ equals ‘C’, it is most logical to think that ‘A’ would equal ‘C’ as well. Or, more simply stated, if the Giants could beat the Redskins, and the Redskins could beat the Eagles, the Giants should also beat the Eagles. But that is not what took place. More times than not, the Eagles defeated the Giants. It was very strange. The only logical explanation is that when it comes to the rivalry of the NFC East, all logic takes a back seat. This is football at its very best.
The problem for the Redskins is that to beat Dallas you must slow down Tony Romo, and to slow down Tony Romo you must pressure the pocket. Sounds like a job for Jason Taylor … only Taylor isn’t playing. So that’s a concern.
The idea of pressuring Tony Romo is flawed to a degree. Yes, if given too much time, Romo can place the ball where it needs to go. But, on the other hand, pressuring him without control, opens up the defense to his amazing antics that can’t be predicted. Rather, we need to get pressure by collapsing his pocket, while at the same time keeping his receivers on lockdown coverage. By doing so, he will hesitate to throw, get off his rhythm, and hopefully fall into the arms of our four DLs.
The good news is the Redskins don’t make silly mistakes, with a plus-5 turnover ratio. If Jason Campbell plays as he did the past two weeks, they have a chance. Of course, if Romo plays the way he did the past three weeks, they don’t.
Memo to Washington’s Greg Blache: While you’re trying to figure out how to defend Romo, try stopping Marion Barber and Felix Jones, too. Wait a minute, I almost forgot about Terrell Owens and Jason Witten and … Miles Austin?. There are too many weapons here to count, and that could confound the Redskins.
Again, the Redskins chance in this game is solely and directly related to their ability to execute their game plan. It has nothing to do with Romo or Terrell Owens, or anyone else on their offense. They will get their yards, etc. The Philadelphia Eagles played the Cowboys to the very end of the game. They lost because of mistakes by Donovan McNabb. So, in that regard, there is much truth in the notion that Jason Campbell must continue his trend of protecting the football.
Something to consider: When Barber has 11 or more carries the Cowboys are 22-1.
Again, this is not a regular football game. This is an NFC East battle royale.
