We’ve waited nearly half the season and finally we get another NFC East division matchup. The Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Redskins on their turf this Sunday and both teams are fighting for a chance at the division this year. Both teams are tied at 3-3, currently good enough for second in the division.
The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t making things any easier for the Cowboys, what with one total loss, but the Cowboys still have their sights set on the 2017 NFC East Title and rightfully so. It’s been a tumultuous year for Dallas between suspensions, “oh wait, he’s not suspended yet”, and various lackluster performances from week to week, but all the ingredients are there. The Cowboys can be successful this season.
This week, the Cowboys face a team dealing with a major injury list. At one point this week as much as a third of the Redskins’ active roster was on the injury report. That includes most of the offensive line, which is bound to be without more than one starter come Sunday. With the way DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving are playing, I’m expecting big things from our pass rush.
The Redskins have 10 players listed as questionable on the final injury report, and three out. The Cowboys have three players marked as questionable (Maliek Collins, Kyle Wilber, Justin Durant) with only two players out.
Dallas will be without kicker Dan “Automatic” Bailey this week and for several more to come, but you won’t be stuck with Jeff Heath’s terrible, albeit surprisingly not as terrible as expected efforts. The Cowboys signed free agent K Mike Nugent this week to fill in for Bailey.
Since his rookie season in 2005, Nugent has a career average of 80.8% on field goals and 96.9% on PATs. His long field goal record is 55 yards, which isn’t bad. He’s had season longs over 50 yards six times in his career, spanning from 2006 to 2016, so he’s got some leg strength.
Is he Dan Bailey good? No, of course not. Is he good enough? Probably. When you have a guy like Bailey, nobody is going to measure up in his absence. The same reasons we all love Bailey are also why most will hate Nugent.
You just have to take what you get on this one and pray for Bailey’s speedy recovery.
Chidobe Awuzie is out, again. Keep holding out hope, guys, he’ll see the field eventually. Sean Lee is healthy, Anthony Hitchens too, and Jaylon Smith is still absorbing the game. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are 100%, and it looks like the whole offensive line will be a go on game day as well.
We’re in good shape. It could be even better if we get the rain forecast for the game because the Redskins have a decent passing game. Rain favors the ground game and Dallas is definitely the stronger running team.
Oh yeah, almost forgot, this round of the Josh Norman vs. Dez Bryant drama is nearly concluded. Break out the beers cause that’s reason enough to celebrate right there! But seriously, looks like Norman is good to go. They say he’ll play.
As always, I encourage you to add your own predictions for the game in our comments section below.
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Redskins injuries underscore failed comeback attempt
Dallas got right in Santa Clara and despite a few bumps stays on the winning path. With the lead late, Dallas’ rushmen seal the game – shining a bright light on the Redskins offensive line woes. A huge division win, but a little too close for comfort. Christopher Waetjen – @SingForTheDay
Cowboys 31 – Redskins 24
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Running Right
This feels like a must win game for the 3-3 Cowboys, and one I expect them to get against a very good Redskins team. Washington will not be at full strength this week, particularly on the offensive line. When Dallas can control both lines of scrimmage, they win. I have this being the case on the road as Ezekiel Elliott scores twice on the ground. Sean Martin – @SeanMartinNFL
Cowboys 31 – Redskins 21
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Battle For the Fourth Win
Both teams will take that field with a 3-3 record. This game is quite important. Being at home, Washington will find a way to keep it close. However, they won’t be able to win with a beaten-up roster. Not against this Cowboys team. Dallas is improving after an ugly start to the season, and with the offense hitting on all cylinders, they may become as unstoppable as they were during the 2016 regular season. Mauricio Rodriguez – @PepoR99
Cowboys 28 – Redskins 20
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Dak and Dallas Dominant yet again
With Dallas as healthy as they’ve been all season, they come out strong against Washington and get a big lead early behind Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Cole Beasley. With Washington missing so many players in the OL this week, DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving make a victim of Kirk Cousins. John Williams – @john9williams
Cowboys 28 – Redskins 13
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Finally, Back-to-Back Wins
Even with the game in Washington, the Cowboys have a much healthier team. If the “heavy rainfall” that is currently projected happens, it will enhance Dallas’ advantage in the trenches and hurt Washington’s finesse offense. Rivalry games are usually a slog and the rain will make it even more sloggy, which is good for the Cowboys. Jess Haynie – @CowboysAddicts
Cowboys 24 – Redskins 20
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Hail to the Cowboys
The Cowboys have scored 30 or more points the last three weeks, and they are going to have to continue that stretch if they plan on winning this key divisional game. With the way Philadelphia is playing, neither Dallas or Washington can afford a loss this week, but I have faith Dak Prescott & Co. can pull it out. I think this game looks similar to last year’s Thanksgiving Day shootout. Kevin Brady – @KevinBrady88
Cowboys 34 – Redskins 28
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Cowboys Weather the Storm in Washington
The weather in Washington is going to be a huge factor in this game, but fortunately it favors the Cowboys. It’s supposed to rain and be really windy, so I expect we see a lot of quick passes and a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott. This will likely be a sloppy game due to the weather conditions, but the Cowboys are built better to withstand the storm. Brian Martin – @BrianMartinNFL
Cowboys 24 – Redskins 13
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Losses are Bigger When Starting at .500
With how the Redskins are playing this season and the woes of a typical division game, I don’t expect the Cowboys will have this easily in hand. The weather helps, but our defense will have to step up against the run, which they haven’t been able to do very well. I believe the Cowboys dominate early and just hold Washington off in the second half. Bryson Treece – @BrysonTreece
Cowboys 20 – Redskins 17
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We’re all predicting the Cowboys to win this game. With any luck, we see this team come out and build on what they did in California last week.
Share your game picks below and, as always, Go Cowboys!
How Garrett prepares this week is big IMO, as it was last week. If he is to salvage 2017, he has to be able to task this team & bring a pit bull to the stadium, every week until he has 10 or 11 wins. I think it’s his biggest challenge yet as a head coach, and I put his ability for it at about 60/40.
My mid-season offensive strategy was completely off-base last week, so it must be coming up this week… ;^)
Meaning this OL is not the OL of last year, and I do not want predictable runs into 8 fronts that are geared to keep Elliott from beating them. Not on the road at least. I want to put Butler in, strike downfield and make defenses pay for that approach early in the game. I want better passing game with fewer hits on Dak – so let him throw on first down when there is any overload on Zeke.
This doesn’t have to go all year, but Garrett cannot hesitate right now to smack defenses that want to make it all about Elliott.
Dallas 27-24
It seems to me that every time another is full of injuries, and has nearly no chance at winning, they find a way to win it…even if for only one week. Dallas will need to ignore everything written about this game, and determine to win. Dallas’ D can expect some screen passes to Chris, which they can do quite well, and some mid passing routs to the deadskins TEs. Those work in rainy weather too, not just running the ball.