ESPN's Take on Skins vs. Cowpukes
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:33 pm
Cowboys have revenge on the mindBy Scouts, Inc.
Why To Watch
Of all the close losses the Cowboys have endured this season, the one that still really sticks in their craw is their collapse to the Redskins on Monday night in Week 3. Now with the stakes even higher for both teams, the Cowboys will try to play a 60-minute game while the Redskins will look to capitalize on the weaknesses they exploited in the Cowboys' defense for an entire game.
This game features two great head coaches who know how to win in the NFL. Time of possession could prove to be a key element as both teams will attack on the ground to set up the pass and eat the clock. In a game likely to be determined by who makes the fewest mistakes, turnovers and special teams will play an especially important role.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: The Cowboys' game plan last week was to be aggressive and attack through the air to set up the run. Expect the Cowboys to be more balanced this week by utilizing the combination of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Head coach Bill Parcells will look to the hotter back as the game progresses and field position becomes the more critical factor. That guy last week was Barber, who was very impressive as a runner, blocker and pass catcher on the Cowboys' final go-ahead drive.
Look for the Redskins to use seven- and eight-man fronts against the Cowboys and try and confuse the Dallas blocking patterns by attacking up-field gaps, which will allow their linebackers to fast flow and attack downhill. The interior of the Cowboys' offensive line (RG Marco Rivera, OC Al Johnson and LG Larry Allen) is their strength, and they will match up with MLB Lemar Marshall and SLB Marcus Washington off their combination patterns and try to slow down the fast, explosive linebackers from being free hitters to the ball.
One of the keys to this will be getting movement at the point of attack on Cornelius Griffin and slipping off and sealing either Marshall or Washington to slow down pursuit angles. Look for the Cowboys to design running plays that attack and run right at the Redskins' defense between the tackles off inside zone plays because of the ineffectiveness of outside running plays on the perimeter. The Cowboys have a big offensive line and a significant size advantage that can wear down this undersized Redskins' front four.
Passing: QB Drew Bledsoe, who passed for less than 200 yards in three of the previous four games, completed 22 of 34 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 126.1 last week against the Chiefs. Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams knows Bledsoe very well from his days as a head coach in Buffalo. With Bledsoe's lack of mobility and the inexperience of the Cowboys' offensive line, look for Williams to incorporate multiple blitz packages to pressure and confuse him.
However, when incorporating these pressure packages, the one thing that comes to mind is the explosiveness of WR Terry Glenn and the playmaking skills of TE Jason Witten. Glenn still has explosive speed and playmaking skills and caught six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. The Redskins are allowing only 192.5 yards per game but have had some inconsistencies at starting left corner.
Rookie first-round pick Carlos Rogers replaced the inconsistent Walt Harris and is starting to play with more confidence. Look for Williams to match up RDC Shawn Springs with Terry Glenn and LDC Rogers with the slower and bigger Keyshawn Johnson. Johnson is still a productive player who leads the Cowboys in receptions and knows how to use his size and experience to get open in the short and intermediate areas
Why To Watch
Of all the close losses the Cowboys have endured this season, the one that still really sticks in their craw is their collapse to the Redskins on Monday night in Week 3. Now with the stakes even higher for both teams, the Cowboys will try to play a 60-minute game while the Redskins will look to capitalize on the weaknesses they exploited in the Cowboys' defense for an entire game.
This game features two great head coaches who know how to win in the NFL. Time of possession could prove to be a key element as both teams will attack on the ground to set up the pass and eat the clock. In a game likely to be determined by who makes the fewest mistakes, turnovers and special teams will play an especially important role.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: The Cowboys' game plan last week was to be aggressive and attack through the air to set up the run. Expect the Cowboys to be more balanced this week by utilizing the combination of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Head coach Bill Parcells will look to the hotter back as the game progresses and field position becomes the more critical factor. That guy last week was Barber, who was very impressive as a runner, blocker and pass catcher on the Cowboys' final go-ahead drive.
Look for the Redskins to use seven- and eight-man fronts against the Cowboys and try and confuse the Dallas blocking patterns by attacking up-field gaps, which will allow their linebackers to fast flow and attack downhill. The interior of the Cowboys' offensive line (RG Marco Rivera, OC Al Johnson and LG Larry Allen) is their strength, and they will match up with MLB Lemar Marshall and SLB Marcus Washington off their combination patterns and try to slow down the fast, explosive linebackers from being free hitters to the ball.
One of the keys to this will be getting movement at the point of attack on Cornelius Griffin and slipping off and sealing either Marshall or Washington to slow down pursuit angles. Look for the Cowboys to design running plays that attack and run right at the Redskins' defense between the tackles off inside zone plays because of the ineffectiveness of outside running plays on the perimeter. The Cowboys have a big offensive line and a significant size advantage that can wear down this undersized Redskins' front four.
Passing: QB Drew Bledsoe, who passed for less than 200 yards in three of the previous four games, completed 22 of 34 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 126.1 last week against the Chiefs. Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams knows Bledsoe very well from his days as a head coach in Buffalo. With Bledsoe's lack of mobility and the inexperience of the Cowboys' offensive line, look for Williams to incorporate multiple blitz packages to pressure and confuse him.
However, when incorporating these pressure packages, the one thing that comes to mind is the explosiveness of WR Terry Glenn and the playmaking skills of TE Jason Witten. Glenn still has explosive speed and playmaking skills and caught six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. The Redskins are allowing only 192.5 yards per game but have had some inconsistencies at starting left corner.
Rookie first-round pick Carlos Rogers replaced the inconsistent Walt Harris and is starting to play with more confidence. Look for Williams to match up RDC Shawn Springs with Terry Glenn and LDC Rogers with the slower and bigger Keyshawn Johnson. Johnson is still a productive player who leads the Cowboys in receptions and knows how to use his size and experience to get open in the short and intermediate areas
