Back at home. Back on track?
The win streak is over, and boy was it painful to watch! However, there’s no better way to get over a tough loss than by getting a division opponent at home… a division opponent who is three games below .500 and has yet to get a win in said division.
The Washington Redskins arrive Sunday for their first game at “Jerry-World” and Dallas has a unique opportunity to wipe away the stain of Sunday’s debacle by reasserting their position in the NFC East with a victory over the DC rivals. The Redskins are a mediocre 3-6, although they did beat a Broncos team that had defeated the Cowboys a month prior; and they bring the top-rated pass defense in the NFL. On the offensive side of the ball though, this is a team that ranks in the bottom half of numerous key statistics. The road record of the Redskins also should give Cowboys’ fans some optimism… they are 0-4 on the road this season.
Dallas should look at the Denver game this past Sunday and think about how best to defeat the Redskins in terms of controlling the tempo of the game. The Redskins has over 150yds rush and Campbell had no interceptions. The Redskins also benefited from Kyle Orton’s exit in the game… especially after he absolutely tore them up on two bombs to Brandon Marshall. Dallas needs the big play this week, and how!
There must be dramatic improvement in the run game this week, the “three-headed monster” mustered up a less than dominant 61 yards on the ground. The run game will be key for two reasons: First, it is the weaker part of the Washington defense; and second, it will provide Garrett and Romo with the opportunities to take chances on the big play by opening up the field.
There will be some hurdles for any offensive (and defensive) game plan to provide Dallas with the chance for success. The Offensive Line comes in a little banged up, including the loss of significant loss of Marc Colombo. Colombo may not see action for the rest of the 2009 season, this will without a doubt test the stability running game. The other pressing obstacle that has really hurt Dallas, and it hurt them Sunday, are the PENALTIES. They are one of the most penalized teams in the league and the game in Green Bay did not help their cause.
If this team wants any chance of having a successful second half, they must do everything they can to play smart football in order to win those games down the stretch in late November and December that will really define for everyone whether Dallas’ win streak was just that… a streak.
GO COWBOYS!!