Another take:
Why To Watch
This is a matchup of coaching brilliance between Bill Parcells, a future Hall of Famer, and Joe Gibbs, who already is enshrined in Canton. Gibbs' Redskins lost both games to Parcells' Cowboys last season, but by three points each time. After widespread offseason changes, these teams are very different from 2004 -- and they're looking for very different results.
On the field, it will be about the running backs. Clinton Portis leads the Redskins, and Julius Jones sets the stage for the Cowboys. . . .
Gibbs will go with Mark Brunell at quarterback and appears to have given up on Patrick Ramsey. Brunell is 35, and although he claims to have fresh legs he still has a lot of mileage. However, he finds the team's new offense to his liking. Watch how he handles his latest chance.
Redskins Keys For Success
1. Pressure QB Drew Bledsoe inside. Bledsoe is not mobile. Defensive linemen like playing against him, because they always know where he is going to be -- in the pocket. The Redskins will try to expose the weak interior of the Cowboys' offensive line by bringing pressure up the middle and collapsing the pocket around Bledsoe. Bledsoe is not one to scramble or throw an ill-advised pass; in fact, he takes too many sacks and should be better about getting rid of the ball.
2. Expose the right side of offensive line. Cowboys right tackle Rob Petitti is big and strong, but he's a rookie. The Redskins will attack him with blitzes and stunts involving end Renaldo Wynn, outside linebackers Warrick Holdman and LaVar Arrington and safety Sean Taylor.
3. TDs -- not field goals -- in the red zone. As obvious as this might seem, Washington was 31st in scoring last season and came away with three field goals last week against the Bears. With a new blocking scheme and upgrades along the offensive line, Portis should be able to run for scores inside the 20. H-back Chris
ey has the height, speed and hands to be a red zone threat. The team also will look to wide receivers Santana Moss and David Patten.
Brunell did just enough to win against the Bears. He must do more to beat the Cowboys.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Get cohesive play from the offensive line. Left tackle Flozell Adams, left guard Larry Allen and right guard Marco Rivera are pro bowl players, but Rivera has injury concerns, center Al Johnson isn't a powerful blocker and Petitti is inexperienced. The line must jell quickly to protect Bledsoe in passing situations and to pave the way for Jones to develop offensive balance. But balance will be hard to come bay against Washington's strong and ever-attacking defense.
2. Use TE Jason Witten to establish the pass. The Redskins' run defense is too strong for the Cowboys to run against in a straight-up power game; Parcells knows the Skins will be looking for Jones and will crowd the box. Expect the Cowboys to use play-action early, looking to bait the aggressive Skins safeties, and use Witten as a main target off the ball fake in the deep middle.
3. Stop Portis. The Cowboys must continue to maintain the gap discipline that they showed last week against LaDainian Tomlinson and consistently stop Portis at the line. Washington will have no choice but to put the ball in the hands of QB Mark Brunell.
The Bottom Line
Washington will win a close, low-scoring game by pressuring Bledsoe and shutting down the Cowboys' running game. With Brunell at quarterback, the Redskins will limit mistakes on offense and establish a ground game against Dallas' 3-4 front.
Pick: Redskins 13, Cowboys 7
NOTE: Everyone else on TSN's staff is picking the 'Boys.
