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Scouts Inc.
Dallas at Washington
When: 8:20 PM ET
Watch: NBC
Preview
More scouting reports: Week 16
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cowboys-Commanders matchup.
1. Dallas needs to take care of business: The Cowboys are heavily favored to win this game against a team that is currently in a lot of disarray. They can't afford to look past the Commanders as they will be finishing off the regular season at home against the Eagles. Dallas needs to strike early and then keep its foot on the gas pedal as it hopes to finish out the season with a strong run toward the playoffs.
2. Bring the heat, defensively: The Commanders struggled against the pressure package the Giants brought to Washington on Monday night. With all the struggles the Commanders have experienced on the offensive line plus the short week to prepare for this game, Dallas will want to show a lot of defensive personnel packages and bring a heavy blitz package to this game.
3. Trust your base defense to stop the run: The Cowboys are ranked sixth when it comes to stopping the run, allowing just 98 yards per game on the ground. While they will want to make the Commanders one-dimensional by taking away the ground game, the Cowboys need to trust their base defensive package to get the job done rather than using a lot of run blitzes. If their front seven can control things in the trenches, the Cowboys can be more creative on the back end as they try to confuse the quarterback and force some ill-advised passes.
4. Look for the Cowboys to keep the ball on the ground: As we saw on Monday night, the field conditions in Washington are not ideal for passing the ball. When the weather becomes a factor, it is generally a good idea to run the ball as often as possible, especially when playing away from home. The Cowboys are averaging 4.9 yards per carry, second most in the NFL, and will want to feed the ball to their dynamic duo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
5. Matchup to watch: Dallas WR Miles Austin vs. Washington FS LaRon Landry: Landry will be asked to provide help over the top and keep Austin from gaining much after the catch. Landry likes to deliver the big blow, sometimes to the detriment of making the sure tackle, and he can't afford to let Austin break free or juke him in the open field as Austin leads the Cowboys in touchdowns with 11.
6. Find a ground game, Washington: The Commanders are really struggling when it comes to protecting the pocket. Their offensive line is in disarray and the staff has had to replace injured blockers almost on a weekly basis. It is extremely difficult to develop any cohesiveness when you are playing next to different teammates every week, especially when pass blocking. If the Skins can establish any kind of respectable ground game, it will do a lot to slow down the Cowboys' pass rush.
7. Expect the Commanders to pull out all the stops: The players and coaches for the Commanders know that their future with the team is on the line in these last two weeks. They will want to make a big splash and the odds of the Commanders coming out on top by lining up face to face and simply outmuscling the Cowboys are not very good. Look for the offensive staff to be creative in both their personnel packages as well as their play calling.
8. Washington needs to depend on its defense: The Commanders' offense has been MIA, especially as of late. The Skins are getting their share of yards but struggle when it comes to punching the ball into the end zone. They are averaging just 17.6 points a game, which ranks 26th. Defense is the one dependable aspect of Washington's team; the Commanders need their defense to keep this game close.
9. Protect the pocket: Starting quarterback Jason Campbell was temporarily knocked out of Monday's game against the Giants. Although he will probably start on Sunday, he will likely be less than 100 percent. Whether the Commanders keep an extra blocker in to help in pass protection or use a sliding pocket to make it more difficult for the Dallas pass-rushers to zero in on the QB, Washington needs to do something to keep Campbell, or his backup Todd Collins off the ground.
10. Matchup to watch: Washington TE Fred Davis vs. Dallas SS Gerald Sensabaugh: Davis has become one of Campbell's favorite targets since replacing Pro Bowl TE Chris Cooley. Davis is apt to be a key ingredient in Sunday's game as the Commanders will need to look for a lot of checkdown passes as well as short to intermediate routes by their tight ends. Sensabaugh will be patrolling the underneath routes and needs to help contain one of Washington's most potent weapons.
Prediction
Dallas 27
Washington 13
Dallas at Washington
When: 8:20 PM ET
Watch: NBC
Preview
More scouting reports: Week 16
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cowboys-Commanders matchup.
1. Dallas needs to take care of business: The Cowboys are heavily favored to win this game against a team that is currently in a lot of disarray. They can't afford to look past the Commanders as they will be finishing off the regular season at home against the Eagles. Dallas needs to strike early and then keep its foot on the gas pedal as it hopes to finish out the season with a strong run toward the playoffs.
2. Bring the heat, defensively: The Commanders struggled against the pressure package the Giants brought to Washington on Monday night. With all the struggles the Commanders have experienced on the offensive line plus the short week to prepare for this game, Dallas will want to show a lot of defensive personnel packages and bring a heavy blitz package to this game.
3. Trust your base defense to stop the run: The Cowboys are ranked sixth when it comes to stopping the run, allowing just 98 yards per game on the ground. While they will want to make the Commanders one-dimensional by taking away the ground game, the Cowboys need to trust their base defensive package to get the job done rather than using a lot of run blitzes. If their front seven can control things in the trenches, the Cowboys can be more creative on the back end as they try to confuse the quarterback and force some ill-advised passes.
4. Look for the Cowboys to keep the ball on the ground: As we saw on Monday night, the field conditions in Washington are not ideal for passing the ball. When the weather becomes a factor, it is generally a good idea to run the ball as often as possible, especially when playing away from home. The Cowboys are averaging 4.9 yards per carry, second most in the NFL, and will want to feed the ball to their dynamic duo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
5. Matchup to watch: Dallas WR Miles Austin vs. Washington FS LaRon Landry: Landry will be asked to provide help over the top and keep Austin from gaining much after the catch. Landry likes to deliver the big blow, sometimes to the detriment of making the sure tackle, and he can't afford to let Austin break free or juke him in the open field as Austin leads the Cowboys in touchdowns with 11.
6. Find a ground game, Washington: The Commanders are really struggling when it comes to protecting the pocket. Their offensive line is in disarray and the staff has had to replace injured blockers almost on a weekly basis. It is extremely difficult to develop any cohesiveness when you are playing next to different teammates every week, especially when pass blocking. If the Skins can establish any kind of respectable ground game, it will do a lot to slow down the Cowboys' pass rush.
7. Expect the Commanders to pull out all the stops: The players and coaches for the Commanders know that their future with the team is on the line in these last two weeks. They will want to make a big splash and the odds of the Commanders coming out on top by lining up face to face and simply outmuscling the Cowboys are not very good. Look for the offensive staff to be creative in both their personnel packages as well as their play calling.
8. Washington needs to depend on its defense: The Commanders' offense has been MIA, especially as of late. The Skins are getting their share of yards but struggle when it comes to punching the ball into the end zone. They are averaging just 17.6 points a game, which ranks 26th. Defense is the one dependable aspect of Washington's team; the Commanders need their defense to keep this game close.
9. Protect the pocket: Starting quarterback Jason Campbell was temporarily knocked out of Monday's game against the Giants. Although he will probably start on Sunday, he will likely be less than 100 percent. Whether the Commanders keep an extra blocker in to help in pass protection or use a sliding pocket to make it more difficult for the Dallas pass-rushers to zero in on the QB, Washington needs to do something to keep Campbell, or his backup Todd Collins off the ground.
10. Matchup to watch: Washington TE Fred Davis vs. Dallas SS Gerald Sensabaugh: Davis has become one of Campbell's favorite targets since replacing Pro Bowl TE Chris Cooley. Davis is apt to be a key ingredient in Sunday's game as the Commanders will need to look for a lot of checkdown passes as well as short to intermediate routes by their tight ends. Sensabaugh will be patrolling the underneath routes and needs to help contain one of Washington's most potent weapons.
Prediction
Dallas 27
Washington 13
