OFFENSE . . .
The Cowboys have relied heavily on the passing game, which is not what their coach, Bill Parcells, wants to do. Still, quarterback Vinny Testaverde has completed 62 percent of his passes and three of the Cowboys' receivers Terry Glenn, Keyshawn Johnson and Antonio Bryant each average 15 yards per reception.
The Redskins' passing game has been ineffective. The running game has gone in fits and starts, but Clinton Portis is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. No one knows for certain how Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell will perform with his strained hamstring. Advantage: Dallas
DEFENSE . . .
Teams have been able to run on the Cowboys (136 yards per game). Passing on them is a bit harder (172.5 yards per game). The Cowboys have just three sacks. Their linebacker corps, headed by Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen, is on the small side, but they run well and hit hard.
The Redskins' defense has been a swarming, aggressive, blitzing, run-stopping, quarterback-sacking whirlwind. They will miss outside linebacker LaVar Arrington, who is out with a knee injury. Lemar Marshall is no Arrington and might not deliver the dynamic plays provided by Arrington. But Marshall also might be a more assignment-sound player. Advantage: Washington
SPECIAL TEAMS . . .
The Cowboys are one tough team to return a kickoff against. They give up an average of just 13 yards per return. Their punter, Matt McBriar, has a net of just 34 yards, but he has placed four of his punts inside the 20.
Redskins punter Tom Tupa has a net of 40.5 yards and has placed three punts inside the 20. The Redskins still need to tighten their kickoff coverage, and they have to eliminate penalties on kickoff returns. Advantage: Even
COACHING . . .
Bill Parcells manages to push the right buttons on his players most of the time. Mike Zimmer is one of the fine, young defensive coordinators in the league. Joe Gibbs seems to know how to bring a team back from a tough week, while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is doing an outstanding job. But Gibbs' 11-year absence from the game gives Parcells an edge. Advantage: Dallas
INTANGIBLES . . .
Parcells holds an 11-6 edge in games against Gibbs. The Cowboys have won 12 of the past 13 games between the two teams. The Redskins enjoy a tremendous homefield advantage when 90,000 fans begin screaming in unison. The Cowboys are 36-26 in Monday night games, while the Redskins are 23-27 but 6-6 against the Cowboys. Advantage: Dallas
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 5855935462