Game Preview, Week 2: Cowboys at Redskins
September 13, 2019
by Steve Thomas
Whelp. That didn’t exactly go well, did it? In week one the Redskins coughed up a 17 point lead via a spectacular second half meltdown, and then had all kinds drama happen, from Morgan Moses bashing the coaches and the refs on local radio, coming on the heels of Jay Gruden somewhat insulting future hall of famer Adrian Peterson in the post-game presser. And don’t forget about the injuries – the defensive leader, Jonathan Allen, has a sprained MCL, and the team’s prized running back, Derrius Guice, has a meniscus tear in his knee and is out, again, for an unknown but much discussed period of time. All is not well in Redskinsland. Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Cowboys are fresh off of a home thrashing of the New York Giants, and are no doubt extremely confident of their ability to win this game. Is it possible that the Redskins are already faced with a must-win game in week 2? It sounds ridiculous, but it sure seems like the team is headed into its annual swandive into chaos earlier than normal this year. Nevertheless, we do have some thoughts about how the Redskins can get the job done in this week’s game preview.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 15, 2019, 1:00 p.m. ET, Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Raljon, MD; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: Fox
Television announcers: Kevin Burkhardt and Charles Davis
TV network coverage map: Click here
DC-area radio: The Team 980
Redskins radio network: Click here
Cowboys radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: XM: 234 (Redskins broad.) Sirius: 137 (Redskins broad); internet: 831 (Redskins broad.)
Redskins roster: Click here
Redskins depth chart: Click here
Cowboys roster: Click here
Cowboys depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Dallas: 43 – 71 – 2 (last 10: 3 – 7) (streak: 0 – 1)
Last meeting: L, November 22, 2018, 23 – 31
Early odds: Dallas, -7
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Establish and maintain a running game
The 2019 Washington Redskins football club is going to have to figure out how to run the ball in order to win games. This team just isn’t built to do well without this capability. Now with HOFer-who-was-benched-for-no-good-reason Adrian Peterson back in the lead role, the offensive line is going to have to produce enough rushing lanes to allow him to create. If this doesn’t happen, and Washington becomes completely one dimensional (again), it will almost assuredly be a long game. Watch for the Redskins to try to get their run game going early and often despite a tough and stingy Dallas run defense. This will also have the added bonus of keeping Dallas’ offense off the field, which is always good. The run game is probably the most important key to this matchup.
Slow down Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas’ coaching staff clearly made an effort to work Elliott back into the offense slowly in week one against the Giants since he had just returned from his holdout a few days before. It’s safe to say that Elliott will have significantly fewer restrictions this week, and if 2017 and 2018 are any guide, the Cowboys offense will once again probably run through Elliott. Stopping him is always a key to victory over Dallas. Stop Elliott and make the Cowboys try and beat you in other ways. Elliot’s success, or lack thereof, is a key to this game.
No mental or communication mistakes in the secondary
It’s not news to say that the Redskins’ secondary was plagued in week one by serious mistakes borne from communication errors, and, frankly, poor coaching. And now, to add injury to insult, half the cornerback group is injured – Greg Stroman is gone, waived with an injury designation, and neither Fabian Moreau nor Quinton Dunbar practiced much this week. Unfortunately, Dallas has a quality quarterback and at least one elite receiver, so making them one dimensional by stopping, or at least slowing, Elliott is only half the battle. Washington can’t afford to give up a ton of big plays like the Giants did in week one, or like the Redskins did against the Eagles. Watch for whether what’s left of the secondary plays smart, tight coverage, or whether this group is plagued by players being out of position or in mismatch situations. Someone named Thomas Simeon may actually get on the field this week. The ability of the secondary to not be awful is definitely a key to the game.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Demarcus Lawrence vs Morgan Moses and Donald Penn
Last week, Donald Penn had a pretty decent day, but Morgan Moses didn’t. Things definitely don’t get easier, as the Cowboys front seven features one of the league’s best pass rushers in Demarcus Lawrence, and he has a history of wrecking the Redskins offense. Penn and Moses are going to have to figure out a way to slow this guy down and keep Case Keenum upright, or else the passing game is going to be in a world of hurt.
Terry McLaurin vs Chidobe Awuzle and Byron Jones
Now that the entire world has seen McLaurin’s talent, the question is whether the Dallas coaching staff is going to leave him one on one like the Eagles did on occasion. I’d bet not, because what McLaurin did was show big-time speed. The Redskins knew he could run like that, but the rest of the NFL really didn’t. If Dallas either ignores McLaurin or fails to pay enough attention to him, he could be a real asset for Washington. Pay close attention to how the Cowboys are covering McLaurin, because he could be a real difference maker on Sunday.
Ryan Kerrigan vs La’el Collins
Ryan Kerrigan was a complete zero against Philadelphia. The problem is that he’s the Redskins’ best pass rusher, and the team needs him to produce. La’el Collins is a decent right tackle, so Kerrigan should have his hands full this week, but the bottom line is that Kerrigan needs to figure out a way to get to Dak Prescott one way or the other. If Prescott has time, he’s accurate enough to be able to pick a secondary apart. It’s time for Kerrigan’s offseason to end and for him to show up and start producing.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (as of Thursday (active roster only)) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Redskins | Dallas |
| DL J. Allen, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR T. Austin, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: O |
| DL C. Brantley, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: O | DE T. Crawford, hip; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| RB D. Guice, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: O | LB L. Gifford, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: O |
| QB C. McCoy, fibula; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: O | G Z. Martin, back; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| S M. Nicholson, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | S D. Thompson, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| CB Q. Dunbar, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP game: Q | S D. Wilson, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| CB F. Moreau, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP game: D | WR R. Cobb, rib; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE J. Reed, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP game: O | WR A. Cooper, foot; Wed; FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| S. J. Heath, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| TE B. Jarwin, foot; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| LB S. Lee, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| T T. Smith, back; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
TEAM STATISTICS
Redskins:
Some of the Redskins offensive stats from week 1 weren’t terrible if taken in a vacuum – 370 yards passing, 27 points, 2 touchdown passes of 48 and 69 yards. That sounds like numbers that will win football games, although the rushing totals were horrendous: 13 carries, 28 yards. Yuck. The Redskins will have to very dramatically improve on the run game to have any chance at beating Dallas this week.
On the defensive side of the ball, Washington surrendered 53 and 51 yard touchdown passes to Eagles receiver Desean Jackson, mostly as a result of communication errors and poor defensive playcalling. It doesn’t get any easier this week, as Dallas features a top 10 receiver in Amari Cooper.
Record (2018): 7 – 8 (3rd) (Away: 4 – 4; NFC: 6 – 6; NFC East 2 – 4)
All-time franchise record: 600 – 590 – 28
Offense
| Offensive rankings (2018) | 29 (points) / 28 (total yards) / 28 (yards per game) / 28 (yards per play) / 28 (passing yards) / 29 (passing yards per att.) / 17 (rushing yards) / 20 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for (2018) | 281 |
| Yards per game (2018) | 299.7 |
| Passing (2018)
|
509 att (26th); 298 comp; 61.1% comp per. (28th); 6.65Y/A; 3021 net yds; 16 TD; 15 Int |
| Passing leader (2018) | Smith (328 att, 2180 yds (31st), 62.5% comp perc (25th), 10 TDs / 5 Int, 85.7 QB rating (27th) |
| Receiving leader (2018) | Reed (558 yds (81st), 84 tgts (59th), 54 rec (67th), 2 TD, 10.3 YPC) |
| Rushing (2018) | 414 att (14th); 1774 yds; 4.3 Y/A; 110.9 Y/G (17th); 12 TD |
| Rushing leader (2018) | Peterson (251 att (5th), 1042 yds (8th), 7 TD, 4.2 Y/A (33rd), long 90) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank (2018) | 44 / 21 |
| Ave time of possession / rank (2018) | 29:37 / 19 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank (2018) | 36.4% / 24 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank (2018) | 52.5% / 25 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings (2018) | 15 (points) / 17 (total yards) / 16 (yards per game surrendered) / 22 (yards per play) / 15 (passing yards) / 22 (passing yards per att.) / 17 (rushing yards) / 18 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against (2018) | 359 |
| Yards per game surrendered (2018) | 353.4 |
| Opponent’s passing (2018) | 537 att (13th); 362 comp; 67.4% comp perc. (27th); 7.6 Y/A; 3794 net yds; 27 TDs; QB Rating 95.1 (20th) |
| Opponent’s rushing (2018) | 413 att (15th); 1860 yds; 4.5 Y/A; 12 TD; 116.3 Y/G (17th) |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader (2018) | 46 /7 / Kerrigan (13) |
| Tackles leader (2018) | M Foster (131) |
| Int / rank / Int leader (2018) | 15 / 13 / Swearinger (4) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank (2018) | 43.88% / 29 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank (2018) | 51.92% / 8 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns (2018) | 19.7 Y/R (30th), 30 returns, long 44 yards (17th), 0 TDs |
| Punt returns (2018) | 6.5 Y/R (25th), 17 returns, long 30 yards (20th), 0 TD |
| Kick return defense (2018) | 22.7 Y/R (18th), 13 returns, 0 TD |
| Punt return defense (2018) | 9.8 Y/R (24th), 31 returns, 1 TD |
| Punting (2018) | 45.3 Y/P (11th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank) (2018): 19 / 26 / +7 / 8
Penalties (total accepted # / rank) (2018): 115 / 22
Dallas:
Dallas really put up big passing numbers against the Giants in week one: 35 points, 405 passing yards and 4 touchdowns; however, the Cowboys were uncharacteristically ineffective on the ground, with just 89 yards rushing on 30 carries, with Elliott averaging 4.1 yards per carries on 13 attempts. Michael Gallup, of all people, had 158 receiving yards on just 7 receptions.
Defensively, the Cowboys held the Giants largely in check in terms of points scored, with just 17 in the game. However, they did surrender some significant yardage: 305 yards passing on a 68.1% completion percentage, some coming in garbage time, but regardless, Dallas may be vulnerable in the air. Dallas also gave up 151 yards rushing on 17 carries, for an average of 8.9 yards per carry, but 59 of those yards came on one rush by Saquon Barkley, which dramatically affected Dallas’ rushing numbers. The quality of this unit is an open question at this point.
Record (2018): 10 – 6 (1st) (Away: 3 – 5; NFC: 9 – 3; NFC East: 5 – 1)
All-time franchise record: 51__ – 38__ – 6
Offense
| Offensive rankings (2018)
|
22 (points) / 22 (total yards) / 22 (yards per game) / 22 (yards per play) / 23 (passing yards) / 16 (passing yards per att.) / 10 (rushing yards) / 15 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for (2018) | 339 |
| Yards per game (2018) | 343.8 |
| Passing (2018) | 527 att (21st); 356 comp; 67.6% comp per. (8th); 7.4 Y/A; 3538 net yds; 22 TDs; 8 Int |
| Passing leader (2018) | Prescott (526 att, 3885 yds (15th), 67.7% comp per., 22 TDs / 8 Int, 96.9 QB rating (14th)) |
| Reception leader (2018) | Cooper (725 yds (46th), 76 targets (73rd), 53 rec (69th), 6 TD, 13.7 Y/C); Elliott (567 yds, 77 rec (23rd), 3 TD, 7.4 Y/C) |
| Rushing (2018) | 439 att (10th); 1963 yds; 4.5 Y/A; 122.7 Y/G (10th); 13 TDs |
| Rushing leader (2018) | Elliott (304 att, 1434 yds (1st), 6 TDs, 4.7 Y/A (21st), long 41 yds) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank (2018) | 56 / 31 |
| Ave time of possession / rank (2018) | 30:35 / 10 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank (2018) | 41.4% / 10 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank (2018) | 51.79% / 26 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings (2018) | 6 (points) / 7 (total yards) /8 (yards per game surrendered) / 12 (yards per play) / 13 (passing yards) / 15 (passing yards per att.) / 5 (rushing yards) / 5 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against (2018) | 324 |
| Yards per game surrendered (2018) | 334.8 |
| Opponent’s passing (2018) | 542 att (16th); 367 comp; 67.7% comp per. (29th); 7.4 Y/A; 3755 net yds; 22 TD; QB Rating 95.7 (22nd) |
| Opponent’s rushing (2018) | 400 att (12th); 1513 yds; 3.8 Y/A; 12 TD |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader (2018) | 39 / 18 / Lawrence (10.5) |
| Tackles leader (2018) | Vander Esch (140) |
| Int / rank / Int leader (2018) | 9 / 27 / Vander Esch, Woods (2) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank (2018) | 40.89% / 24 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank (2018) | 51.79% / 7 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns (2018) | 21.8 Y/R (20th), 13 returns, long 35 yards, 0 TDs |
| Punt returns (2018) | 5.7 Y/R (31st), 21 returns, long 22 yards (27th), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense (2018) | 26.5 Y/R (31st), 25 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense (2018) | 8.5 Y/R (16th), 30 returns, 0 TD |
| Punting (2018) | 44.5 Y/P (19th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank) (2018): 17 / 20 / +3 / 12
Penalties (total accepted # / rank) (2018): 114 / 21
* Statistics courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com, www.nflpenalties.com, www.nfl.com, www.teamrankings.com, www.espn.com, www.sportingcharts.com