It looked as if the Cowboys were going to win this football game, as Tony Romo led a drive to set up a FG attempt for Mike Vanderjagt in the final seconds of the game.  Vanderjagt’s kick was blocked and the Redskins look to have been stopped with no time left on the clock, but one of the Cowboys grabbed a facemask.  That set up the Redskins for a an untimed play, on which Nick Novak kicked a 47 yard FG to beat the Cowboys.

Mark Brunell played an efficient football game, completing 14 of 23 passes for 192 yards and a TD.  Clinton Portis had a solid game running the ball with 23 carries for 84 yards (3.7 ypc) and a TD.  LeDell Betts only carried the ball 3 times for 8 yards, but he caught 3 passes for 30 yards.  TE Chris Cooley caught 3 passes for 66 yards and a fantastic TD reception.  James Thrash caught 3 passes for 52 yards and Brandon Lloyd caught 2 passes for 26 yards.

LB Marcus Washington led the way on defense with 8 tackles and a sack.  DT Cornelius Griffin had a good game with 7 tackles and a sack.  The Redskins allowed the Cowboys to carry the ball 29 times for 111 yards (3.8 ypc), but the Skins hit Julius Jones in the end zone for a safety.  The Cowboys completed 24 of 36 passes for 267 net yards passing.

This could be a win that turns the Redskins season around! 

The real problem on the Redskins is not Mark Brunell.  Brunell currently has a 90.4 QB Rating which is #3 in the NFC, behind only Marc Bulger (101.3) and Donovan McNabb (97.3).  Brunell’s rating ranks #9 in the whole NFL out of 32 starting QBs.  The offense is producing 325.9 yards per game and 20.0 points, so the offense is not the problem.

The Skins defense is a collection of underachieving, over-paid stiffs.  The Skins allow 350.1 yards per game and 24.4 points per game which puts alot of pressure on the offense.  Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta among others need to live up to their reputations and make some plays.  The Redskins only have 10 sacks and 2 interceptions this season and those totals are pathetic.  Opposing QBs have a rating of 101.4 this season.  What that means is that the Redskins make every QB they play look like a Pro-Bowler….and it’s hard to win football games when you do that.

The Redskins worst nightmare has become reality as it’s top receiver Santana Moss will miss Sunday’s game with the Cowboys with his bad hamstring.  The Redskins will be forced to depend on two receivers that they thought were much better than they actually are.  The Redskins threw a lot of money at Antwaan Randle El and he has caught 18 passes for 167 yards (9.3 avg) and a TD.  The Redskins expected much more of him.  The Redskins traded a 4th round pick to the Niners for Brandon Lloyd, and he has been horrible.  Lloyd has only caught 11 passes for 164 yards (14.9 avg) this season.

This is a must-win game for both of these teams.  The Cowboys need to win the game to keep pace with the Giants, while the Redskins need a win just to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

Look for the Cowboys to come out running the football with Julius Jones (616 yards rushing) and Marion Barber (264 yards rushing) against a Redskin run defense that allows 110.7 yards rushing per game.  After the run game is quickly established, look for Tony Romo to attack the Redskins down the field with Terrell Owens (37 rec, 482 yards) and Terry Glenn (33 rec, 430 yards).  The Redskins defense has allowed opposing QBs to compile a 101.4 QB rating against them.

When the Redskins have the ball, look for them also to try to run the ball with Clinton Portis (414 yards rushing) and LeDell Betts (275 yards rushing).  The Cowboys defense has been tough against the run allowing only 80.9 yards rushing per game and 3.3 yards per carry, but the Redskins have to try to run to slow the Cowboys pass rush.  A couple of the Redskins overpaid receivers need to step up and earn their paycheck or Mark Brunell could be in deep trouble in the pocket.

The first time these two teams played, the Cowboys absolutely pasted them 27-10 in Dallas.  The only differences in the result this time will be because Tony Romo and Clinton Portis are starting this game…and it’s in Washington.  I think the Cowboys will win this game simply because…..they are the better football team.

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