WK 16 WAR ROOM: Cowboys vs Redskins match up

[CowboyPrincess]

Ok, here it is.. the War Room weekly match-up. It's a 4 part post, so look for them all....They have the Redskins winning by a extremely small margin, but history dictates that they will be wrong. It is tradition for the Cowboys to win this match-up and no matter the state of our team, they always pull it out in this game. ENJOY!

As a side note... I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from my heart to yours. And remember, if you are traveling, it's not only your driving but the other guys that you need to watch out for. Keep it safe so we can ALL meet back here afterwards....

God Bless all of you.

GO COWBOYS!!!

Why To Watch

Both teams are out of the playoff race but continue to work hard -- and continue to get with uneven results. Dallas' Bill Parcells and Washington's Joe Gibbs are coaching legends, and neither will tolerate dissension. So there is no chance that either team will quit on its coach. ...

Gibbs and staff are getting a long look at quarterback Patrick Ramsey. Ramsey has the arm and the talent to be the centerpiece of the Gibbs' offense but must prove he has the mind and accuracy. Last week against the 49ers, several passes sailed over wide-open receivers. If Ramsey continues to miss high, it will result in interceptions and/or injured receivers. ...

[View Full Quote]Parcells refuses to play either of his young quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Drew Henson. He is sticking with 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde because neither Romo nor Henson has "earned" a start. However, the Cowboys enter the offseason with two first-round picks and a ton of salary cap room. Do they need to spend any of that capital on a starting quarterback? The only way to learn is to play Henson and Romo.


Redskins Keys For Success

1. Contain running back Julius Jones. With Jones healthy, the Cowboys' offense is much more effective. The legitimate running threat creates opportunities for play-action passes, a dire necessity because Cowboys wide receivers aren't fast enough to get open without deception. The Cowboys lack a receiver that can outrun Redskins cornerbacks or big-play eraser Sean Taylor. The Redskins should commit eight men to stop Jones.

2. Don't let Testaverde get comfortable. Testaverde can pick apart a defense if he can set his feet. The Redskins have the NFL's second-best defense but don't get many sacks. The defensive line lacks a true pass rusher, so Washington must blitz to create pressure. Its terrible offense, however, limits the risks the defense can take.

Dallas' offensive line does a decent job of protecting Testaverde. The Redskins must force Testaverde to move and ad-lib because he makes most of his mistakes under pressure.

3. Throw downfield. Ramsey has a big arm, and wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner are deep threats. Still, neither Coles nor Gardner has a 50-yard catch. Dallas' pass coverage is awful, and Gardner and Coles should be able to make big plays. A few downfield completions will force Dallas to take safety Roy Williams out of the tackle box and thus create more running room for Clinton Portis.


Cowboys Keys For Success

1. Get Jones going. Jones' presence has lifted the team. Jones is similar to Portis, and when he gains 100 yards, the Cowboys win. In the teams' Week 3 meeting, Dallas had 50 yards rushing. But that was the pre-Jones era. Still, Washington is stout against run, allowing 83.1 yards per game.

2. Neutralize Portis. Portis is the key to Washington's offense. When he rushes for 100 yards, the team gets in position to win. When he falls short, the team loses. Washington's offense has been so inept that the team has won once when Portis failed to reach 140 yards rushing. In five victories, Portis has more yards rushing than in the nine losses combined.

3. Protect Testaverde. Testaverde remains mostly dependable, but he has thrown at least one interception in each of the past eight games. Over that stretch, he has 15 interceptions -- far too many for a team with limited weapons. Much of the blame goes to receivers, who lack the skill and speed to get open. With Testaverde forced to wait for his receivers, the line often breaks down and forces Testaverde to improvise.


Injuries at a glance

Redskins injuries

Updated/ Player/ Pos./ Injury/ Status
12/21/04 Shawn Springs CB Concussion Should return in Week 16
12/15/04 John Hall K Quadriceps tear Out for season
12/16/04 Laveranues Coles WR Toe Considering surgery

Cowboys injuries
Updated/ Player/ Pos./ Injury/ Status
12/12/04 Keyshawn Johnson WR Knee Will play through it

The Bottom Line

The Cowboys beat Washington with a halfback option pass Sept. 27. This time, it will be different. The Redskins' offensive line has improved significantly, and their defense is dominant and better than ever now that Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington has returned. Washington will neutralize Jones and force the Cowboys to throw. Dallas will not be able to return the favor, and the Redskins win a close one.

Pick: Redskins 20, Cowboys 16

[CowboyPrincess]

When The Cowboys Have The Ball

The offense is outclassed athletically by the Redskins defense. But because Washington scores so infrequently, Dallas can use a ball-control scheme and try to win by not making mistakes.
Look for coach Bill Parcells to start by running the ball to suck safeties up close to the line. Running back Julius Jones is a force and has speed that can change a game. If Jones gets going, it will set up play-action and passing room for quarterback Vinny Testeverde to find wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
To beat the Redskins deep, the offense must show it can run on the ball. Otherwise, safety Sean Taylor will sit back and play deep.
Don't expect the running game to be consistently productive. Coaches must let Testeverde throw on first and second downs to keep the defense honest. The Redskins will blitz every time they expect pass. Testeverde is a statue in the pocket and the Redskins will be able to get to him.
Testeverde can beat the Redskins deep, but he must limit mistakes and be accurate. Cowboys receivers don't scare Redskins cornerbacks, and Testeverde must be careful in his pass selection and placement. If he doesn't, his days as a starter might be over. Advantage: Redskins.
THIRD-DOWN BATTLE
Jones must get the team into short-yardage situations where it has the option to throw or pass depending on defensive personnel. Testaverde will force the ball to Jones. Look for him to run left behind tackle Flozell Adams and guard Larry Allen on third-and-short or get Jones the ball in space on third-and-long.
When Testaverde must throw, Johnson and tight end Jason Witten will be the primary receivers with wideouts Terrence Copper and Quincy Morgan as second options. Fullback Richie Anderson is a dangerous receiver who is good at finding open spots in zone coverage. Look for the Cowboys to have him float out of the backfield and into the zone vacated by blitzing Redskins. Advantage: Redskins.
IN THE RED ZONE
The Cowboys will not be able to run Jones in the short field. Because Testaverde has been so mistake-prone of late, the Cowboys will not give him too many options against a crowded secondary. Look for them to have Johnson run fades where he can use his size to shield cornerbacks. Witten is the big-play guy inside the 20, so look for the Cowboys to get him open with play-action. The Redskins should double him and make Testaverde check off –- a dangerous proposition for the Cowboys of late.
Advantage: Redskins.

[CowboyPrincess]

When the Redskins Have the Ball

Much of the offense's problems stem from inability to mesh the talents of skill position players to coach Joe Gibbs' scheme. There is no good reason why wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner should have only six touchdowns between them.
Moreover, injuries to offensive linemen and terrible quarterback play have been bugaboos all season. Patrick Ramsey regressed after getting beaten up much of 2003 and relegated to second string to start this season. Ramsey has a big arm and showed last season that he was willing to take a pounding, but he still has problems under pressure.
The offense has come on of late, and improved blocking schemes create opportunities for running back Clinton Portis. However, the offense still can't move consistently with passing, which is surprising given the talent available.
The Cowboys' biggest weakness is their inability to contain passing teams. However, the offense is not designed to exploit that weakness. Despite having two receivers who can get deep and H-back receiving threat Chris Cooley, the team averages a passing touchdown a game. That's pitiful.
The offense must establish the run and create rhythm with short passes to Coles and Cooley. The problem? That allows the Cowboys to keep strong safety Roy Williams close to the line where his athleticism and physical play will create problems for the running game.
If Coles and Cooley make some catches over the deep middle, Williams will be forced out of the box and Portis will have room to run. And if the running game clicks, Coles and Gardner will have opportunities to make plays. Advantage: Even.
THIRD-DOWN BATTLE
Because the Cowboys are so vulnerable against the pass, look for the offense to spread the field and force them into nickel or dime packages. Both Cooley and Portis are effective receivers who can line up wide and then go in motion back inside if the Cowboys counter.
The Cowboys' lack of talent at cornerback forces them to blitz against spread formations. Look for them to send a linebacker through the center-guard gap to pressure Ramsey into quick throws. Advantage: Redskins.
IN THE RED ZONE
The Redskins will look to Portis first in this situation. His speed and elusiveness make him their best weapon. He will run wide and seek a seam in the defense. Cooley is an option inside the 20, but he will have a problem getting open against Williams, who is a much better athlete.
To counter, look for Cooley to run down the seam to pull Williams away from the shallow middle so Gardner and Coles can cross underneath. Coles is very good at holding on to the ball in traffic. Gardner's size makes him a corner-post threat.
Advantage: Redskins.

[CowboyPrincess]

Key Individual Matchups

Redskins OLB LaVar Arrington vs. Cowboys RB Julius Jones

Dallas' offense must remain balanced and win field position to be victorious Sunday. Dallas needs the running threat to open up the passing game, and Jones is the key to making the Redskins honor their run responsibilities.
Arrington, who had been hobbled much of the season, adds a playmaking dimension on defense. Jones has great speed and cutback vision, and he has great success running behind the massive left side of the Cowboys' line. When Jones runs left this week, it will allow Arrington to chase the play and plug the cutback lanes.
Arrington is extremely fast and is a ferocious hitter. Jones must stay alert when cutting back. Though Jones has played well recently, the Cowboys will not have much success running this week. Advantage: Arrington.

Arrington Scouting Report

Strengths: Attacks line when he reads run. Has bulk and the lower body to hold ground at the point of attack. Takes good angles and closes cutback lanes. Can consistently chase down plays. Explodes into tackles and has a mean streak. Is a fierce hitter. Has ball skills and can provide big plays. Has explosive first step to beat most linemen off the snap. Can turn the corner and has closing speed.

Weaknesses: Takes too many chances and must play with more discipline.

Bottom line: Arrington is one of the best linebackers in the league. He's a playmaker who's stout vs. the run, consistently forces quarterbacks to hurry decisions and can cover running backs.

Jones Scouting Report

Is a shifty, quick, elusive runner with terrific hands; is a huge threat in space. Has good top-end speed and a second gear in the open field. Lacks size.

Redskins SS Ryan Clark vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten

For the second consecutive week, Clark faces a team whose best receiving option is its tight end. Last week, Clark limited the 49ers' Eric Johnson to eight receptions for 73 yards.
Witten has soft hands, the ability to catch the ball in traffic and a decent burst. He has becomes a dependable target for Vinny Testaverde. Witten is six inches taller and 60 pounds heavier than Clark, who lacks great coverage skills.
If Witten gets into his pattern, Clark will struggle to deny the ball. To compensate, Clark must jam Witten at the line to re-route him and throw off his rhythm. Advantage: Witten.

Witten Scouting Report

Strengths: Has soft hands. Rarely drops balls. Has long arms. Is a fluid athlete. Is good at adjusting to balls in the air. Is comfortable making catches over his shoulders. Will catch the balls in stride. Can make tough catches in traffic. Has the height to win all the jump balls.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t drive defenders off the ball in the short/intermediate passing game. Tends to round off routes. Won’t always find soft spots in zone coverage. Lacks agility with the ball.

Bottom line: Witten should improve with experience, but he is raw and must add strength.

Redskins DT Cornelius Griffin vs. Cowboys LG Larry Allen

The Cowboys prefer to run behind Allen and left tackle Flozell Adams, and this matchup will decide their ability to run the ball -- and the likely winner of the game. Allen plays with good leverage and despite his age can dominate at the point of attack. However, Allen struggles when faced with quick one-gap penetrators, and he no longer has the ability to move laterally to counter double moves.
Allen must get good position because Griffin relies on his explosive first step to make plays. Griffin has good size but must prevent Allen from locking on to him in the running game. If Allen can get movement against Griffin without help, the Cowboys' line should be able to create seams for Jones. Advantage: Even.

Griffin Scouting Report

Strengths: Has size and adequate athletic ability. Wins battles with quickness and an explosive first step. Plays with leverage and adequate upper-body strength. Has balance and can change directions quickly. Is comfortable in space. Excels at shooting gaps and has lateral mobility to force offensive linemen to redirect. Shows burst.

Weaknesses: Lacks bulk and must improve endurance. Must play with a mean streak.

Bottom line: Griffin hasn’t matched his rookie production and has been hindered by injuries, but he can be dominant and has potential.

Allen Scouting Report

Strengths: Plays with leverage, explosive strength and power at the point of attack. Really can deliver a blow. Takes good angles to blocks. Has tremendous wall-off qualities. Can play a position game with his feet, or dominate at the point of attack or push defenders off of the ball.

Weaknesses: Skills are in decline when asked to be an athlete. Lacks range to handle one-gap penetrators. Struggles when isolated vs. double moves.

Bottom line: Allen isn’t the player he once was, but he still can be a dominating inside presence and is a real boost in the running game.

[Jimz31]

Is Arrington even going to play? Hasn't he been out recently?

Oh yeah, and this is the first time I've seen an article say that we are out of the playoff race.

[CowboyPrincess]

I looked and couldn't find anything saying he wasn't playing this weekend.

This was the first time I saw that we are out in print too, but I've heard sportscaster say the same thing on TV

[WoodysGirl]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Is Arrington even going to play? Hasn't he been out recently?

Oh yeah, and this is the first time I've seen an article say that we are out of the playoff race. !

Arrington played last Saturday. The announcers made a real big deal about his very first play, because he didn't start.

Forget the playoffs, I just want a win. Give me a win and I'll be happy.