How would you defeat the Cowboys if you were Jay Gruden?

garyo1954

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,704
Reaction score
4,470
You look in the mirror and discover YOU ARE JAY GRUDEN! You remember the Commanders play the Cowboys this week. And realize you are now the Head Coach of the Commanders!

How do you plan on defeating the Cowboys?
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,412
Reaction score
62,474
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
The Commanders are obviously outmatched. This is the NFL, so don’t expect the skins to forfeit.

If I was Gruden, I would make the skins defense be extremely aggressive. Their defense is actually above average to begin with so I would expect them to take some chances. They will probably try to make this a slower, uglier game. Try to keep it a first team to 20 wins kind of game. Lots of aggressive blitz packages.

Otherwise if the skins play it safe, they’re going to get rolled. (And they hopefully get rolled anyway!) So I expect Gruden to be aggressive on D, try to run the ball and mix short passes with an occasional gadget play. Maybe even a fake punt or on-sides kickoff.

I still say we win, but I expect a desperate divisional rival at home to be tough. We win something like 20-17 or 24-21.
 

garyo1954

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,704
Reaction score
4,470
The Commanders are obviously outmatched. This is the NFL, so don’t expect the skins to forfeit.

If I was Gruden, I would make the skins defense be extremely aggressive. Their defense is actually above average to begin with so I would expect them to take some chances. They will probably try to make this a slower, uglier game. Try to keep it a first team to 20 wins kind of game. Lots of aggressive blitz packages.

Otherwise if the skins play it safe, they’re going to get rolled. (And they hopefully get rolled anyway!) So I expect Gruden to be aggressive on D, try to run the ball and mix short passes with an occasional gadget play. Maybe even a fake punt or on-sides kickoff.

I still say we win, but I expect a desperate divisional rival at home to be tough. We win something like 20-17 or 24-21.

I'm thinking along those lines as well. I do think Gruden is going to showcase Adrian, try to control the ball, shorten the game, and hope for turnovers.
Prescott has never thrown a pick to Washington and has only fumbled 3 times. But he's been sacked 16 times in 6 games.
 

superonyx

Well-Known Member
Messages
11,373
Reaction score
15,676
Since Zeke and the running game had a miserable performance last year in Washington I would make sure I am prepared to stop the pass. They have a good defensive line and should hold up well without too much help.

I would make sure the defense didnt bite on every play fake and hope its really a play fake and not the actual play.

I would run the ball plenty and force our questionable run defense stop them. Then I would get Case Keenam to play off of play action. I wouldnt worry about us getting a pass rush except for Lawrence.
 
Top