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Redskins game day examination: Texas two step
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Texas is a big state and the Cowboys are its biggest football team. So it is only fitting that they need two Examiners.
Aside: No, they are not “America’s Team”, unless you count all their front-runner fans like the two I encountered today at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, in BALTIMORE, who like most Cowboy fans I meet, have probably never set foot in the state of Texas.
This week’s Redskins Game Day Examination is with Cowboys’ Examiners Ryan Killian and Dan Telvok.
Ryan is up first
Mark Newgent: How do Cowboy fans feel about the Dallas-Washington rivalry? Is it their top division rivalry game or is that now with the Eagles?
Ryan Killian: Deep down, it's still the Redskins that Cowboys fans despise. The Eagles rivalry is hot right now due to the T.O./McNabb dynamic and the fact that the two teams seem destined to fight over the division. But the hate has a manufactured feel. The Redskins just feel like the Boys natural rival.
MN: Conventional wisdom has it that if the Cowboys take big punch they will self-destruct as in the past. Did their performance in against the Eagles prove the conventional wisdom wrong?
RK: I suppose it showed some maturation on Tony Romo's part, but it was the second game of the season and the game had the feel of a backyard brawl. The pressure was derived from media build-up. We'll wait for the playoffs or a crucial late-season game to see how they handle blows with the pressure cooker on high for 60 minutes.
MN: Which unit matches up better against the Redskins, the Cowboys offense or the defense?
RK: The defense has to prove something before they can even get serious consideration, even in the context of a particular match-up. The offense has yet to be slowed by anyone and should be able to out-athlete the Redskins defense.
MN: What are your keys to a Cowboys victory?
RK: Tony Romo can't implode. If he just does his job, makes good reads and doesn't try to do too much, then he should do plenty. Between T.O., Jason Witten and the Marion Barber/Felix Jones combo, the Cowboys offense should have an exploitable option at all times.
MN: What weaknesses can the Redskins exploit?
Special teams. The Cowboys haven't shown me much in this regard. The punt returns have looked awful, and if someone can get downfield quick enough to put pressure on Pacman Jones, he's liable to make a mistake.
MN: Which Cowboys' player could be a difference maker in the game?
RK: Felix Jones. He just had something of a coming out party, but the Redskins defense has to be more concerned with stopping Owens, Witten and Barber than the rook. That could give him just the opportunity he needs to make something happen.
MN: Give me your predicted order of finish in the NFC East.
RK:
1. Dallas - It's not a lame, homer pick. It's a lame, safe pick.
2. Philadelphia - They look pretty powerful—if Donovan McNabb and Michael Westbrook can stay somewhat healthy.
3. New York - I just can't get sold on the Giants. Heck, I'm still not sold on the '07 Giants, and they won the dagnab Super Bowl!
4. Washington - Last in the NFC East doesn't make you a bad team. I just don't think the Redskins are good enough to finish ahead of their neighbors.
Ryan Killian
Mark Newgent: How do Cowboy fans feel about the Dallas-Washington rivalry? Is it their top division rivalry game or is that now with the Eagles?
Dan Telvock: The Redskins will always be the top rival of the Cowboys. The history behind the two teams is just too strong. This rivalry is considered by many as the top in all of sports. You can never predict what will happen when these two teams face one another on the field. We look forward to these two games a year. The anticipation all week long is heavy and tense.
MN: Conventional wisdom has it that if the Cowboys take big punch they will self-destruct as in the past. Did their performance in against the Eagles prove the conventional wisdom wrong?
DT: No, it didn't really prove anything. All that game proved was that the Cowboys have some work to do. The problem the Cowboys faced last year was that the team came out of the gates so strong, that by the end of the year, all of the energy fizzled out. They looked inconsistent and tired in December and January. The win over the Eagles was just a win. It was a crazy game, and it showed that the Cowboys don't give up very easily. It also showed the weapons the offense has, from Felix Jones to Jason Witten to Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.
MN: Which unit matches up better against the Redskins, the Cowboys offense or the defense?
DT: The Cowboys defense matches up very well against the Redskins offense. Jason Campbell doesn't want to see DeMarcus Ware all day, but he probably will. With that said, no one has shown they can stop the Cowboys offense. You want to trade punch for punch? Well, so far, the few that have tried this year have lost. The Redskins secondary is decent enough to cause problems if Tony Romo has a really bad day. That's a rarity Redskins fans can only pray occurs. If it doesn't, I have to say that the Redskins don't have a shot in hell of winning this game, and I don't care where they play it.
MN: What are your keys to a Cowboys victory?
DT: Error free football. Any time you play a divisional rival, it always seems the game is lost because of turnovers. The Cowboys need to play error free, which means limited penalties. We know their offense is more powerful, and we know the Cowboys defense is powerful. If both play to par, then what you need to worry about is holding onto the ball, finding the open receivers and holes, and bringing pressure to Campbell, who has problems in the red zone.
MN: What weaknesses can the Redskins exploit?
DT: Ha. Weaknesses? Maybe the secondary. However, the Cowboys might be better off with Roy Williams on the sidelines and Patrick Watkins at safety. Watkins is just hitting real hard back there. You can try to exploit Adam Jones if you want, but this might just be the game where he makes an impact on defense. There aren't a whole lot of weaknesses to exploit here. Try to pressure Romo and get him to rush some throws. If you can cause the Cowboys to make errors, then it is anyone's game.
MN: What weaknesses can the Redskins exploit?
DT: Felix Jones could be the difference maker, if your kickoff coverage is sketchy. I think Marion Barber will be the difference maker here. I don't see your front line, or the linebackers, being able to control this guy for 4 quarters. I think he will have another big game, something like 145 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.
MN: Give me your predicted order of finish in the NFC East.
DT:
Cowboys (12-4)
Giants (11-5)
Eagles (10-6)
Redskins (8-8)
Giants (11-5)
Eagles (10-6)
Redskins (8-8)
Two things stick out from Ryan and Dan’s answers.
- The rivalry is there, even if others refuse to see it.
- As I mentioned before the season started the Cowboys’ Achilles Heel is their team psyche. Can Tony Romo handle big game pressure, and if not, will Terrell Owens unleash another barrage of tantrums. Right now Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips appear to be handling Owens very well. However, if the Cowboys lose a game, like the one they won against the Eagles, things could get dicey.
Other than the fact that I think Moss, Randle El and Cooley will be more than the Dallas secondary can handle, I cannot argue with Ryan and Dan’s assessment of the offensive and defensive matchups.
However, I think Rich has the best formula for an upset. Throw in some no huddle to keep the Dallas defense off-kilter and along with Zorn’s style of offense, you have a recipe for an upset. However, that all depends on the cooks executing the directions.
My prediction: Cowboys 28, Redskins 24
Dan Telvock
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