It's a common thing we do as fans- look at results one week and interpret that to mean we should be able to do that same thing every week. It rarely works out that way in the NFL.
Let me say up front- I think the Cowboys will beat the skins Sunday. But I also expect a completely different type of game than the romp we saw last week against the midgets. Here are the reasons I think this week’s game will be a tougher matchup:
- The skins have a better defense than the midgets. (Almost any team does at this point) Their DL is pretty salty against the run which means our running game may not get out of the blocks, at least early.
- Wash likes to blitz more than ny so we will probably see a lot more blitz packages than last week with a ny secondary that was too green to trust in many blitz situations. I expect the skins to send a lot of blitzers early and often. If we pick it up, we will destroy it.
- It’s on the road and in DC which is usually tougher for us than at home.
- Skins’ secondary is better on paper than ny. They signed S Landon Collins this offseason and he’s better than any S they had last year. Josh Norman is overrated at CB but the corner on the other side Quinton Dunbar (who missed last yr due to injury) isn’t bad. Overall this defense is pretty good.
- Their OL is below average so I expect to see DLaw putting more pressure on this week. He’s had a week to get in better playing shape and I think he will step up more against a weak OL.
- Case Keenum at QB doesn’t scare anyone but if he has time, he can make decent throws. He’s competent, not spectacular. Like most average QBs, if there’s pressure, he’s not going to make plays.
- I respect Adrian Peterson- especially the AP of 5 years ago. Now? He’s essentially a backup pressed into duty because their starter is hurt.
Bottom Line- I expect us to win in a close game. Something like 20-16 or 24-17. Their defense may make it tough early, so I expect suicide counselors to be available for our fans on the Game Day thread if we don’t score immediately or the skins get a first down, lol.
If we don’t “dominate”, it doesn’t mean this team has taken a step back or that Kellen Moore wasn’t as good as last week. It’s the NFL, and every game is different week to week. Just win baby!