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Week 17 Matchup: Cowboys at Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX ), FedEx Field
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Cowboys
Running backs: Advantage Commanders
Receivers: Advantage Cowboys
Offensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Commanders
Pass rushers: Advantage Cowboys
Special teams: Advantage Commanders
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Cowboys
Prediction: Cowboys 17 at Commanders 20
Expert Picks
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War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Cowboys-Commanders matchup:
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Throw the ball over the middle to Jason Witten and Terrell Owens. Tony Romo needs continue to take what the defense gives him. Teams have been keying in on Owens and have opened up room for Witten to put up big numbers down the seams. Romo needs to attack the middle of the Commanders' defense, which in addition to dealing with the tragic loss of Sean Taylor, now is without the services of speedy outside linebacker Rocky McIntosh. Witten has owned the middle of the field, but Dallas needs to send Owens over the middle on more crossing routes. The Cowboys have to find a way to get Owens the ball. Although Witten excels at just moving the chains on third downs, Owens is better at gaining big yardage after catches. The Cowboys need to use both Owens and Witten all over the field to keep the Commanders' secondary on its heels.
2. Keep the Commanders' receivers from going long. Dallas needs to take away any big plays from Washington. Todd Collins has been comfortable in looking for his wide receivers downfield, so the Cowboys need to give small cushions to Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and keep them from getting deep. The Commanders want to throw the ball short and allow their receivers to run well after the catch. Cowboys cornerbacks Terence Newman and Jacques Reeves need to sacrifice the short passes to avoid giving up deep balls. Newman and Reeves are great tacklers and need to limit Washington to a short passing game. Giving up a "home run" would also get the Commanders fired up, not to mention the loud crowd at Fed Ex Field.
3. Run on early downs. Romo is playing with a strained thumb and has felt the pressure to perform in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett needs to take the pressure off Romo by establishing a strong running game. Marion Barber and Julius Jones need to be a factor in this game. Barber should get the ball more on first and second down. Romo will be more effective in the resulting third-and-shorts, which also will limit the effectiveness of the Commanders' blitzes.
Commanders Keys For Success
1. Protect Collins. The Cowboys have a great pass rush and will look to throw Washington off-balance. The Commanders must protect Collins in the pocket and give him enough time to throw the ball. Collins has read blitzes and coverage well since replacing Jason Campbell. The Cowboys have an aggressive front seven that will attack from every angle. Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels needs to lead the offensive line in shutting down pressure from outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware off the edge. Collins needs to feel comfortable that his blind side is protected.
2. Win the time of possession. Washington needs to establish a strong running game with Clinton Portis. The Cowboys are solid up front against the run but Washington needs to find a way to move the ball on the ground. The backbone of the Commanders' offense is a solid running game and they need Portis to show up big against their rivals. A strong running game will slow down the pace of the game and help keep the high-powered Cowboys offense off the field. Washington needs to set the tempo at home by winning the battle up front and controlling the clock.
3. Pressure Romo. Romo is battling a sprained thumb and has made more poor throws late in the season. Washington needs to be aggressive and attack Romo and make him make hurried throws. The Commanders have been playing solid defense, putting their offense in good position to win games. The more pressure the Commanders put on Romo, the less opportunities Romo will have to find Owens down field. Witten has carried the receiving load in recent weeks but Dallas is at its strongest when Owens gets his touches. Owens' routes take longer to develop so consistent pressure from Washington will reduce his effectiveness.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX ), FedEx Field
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Cowboys
Running backs: Advantage Commanders
Receivers: Advantage Cowboys
Offensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Commanders
Pass rushers: Advantage Cowboys
Special teams: Advantage Commanders
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Cowboys
Prediction: Cowboys 17 at Commanders 20
Expert Picks
Sign up now to find out who our experts are picking!
War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Cowboys-Commanders matchup:
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Throw the ball over the middle to Jason Witten and Terrell Owens. Tony Romo needs continue to take what the defense gives him. Teams have been keying in on Owens and have opened up room for Witten to put up big numbers down the seams. Romo needs to attack the middle of the Commanders' defense, which in addition to dealing with the tragic loss of Sean Taylor, now is without the services of speedy outside linebacker Rocky McIntosh. Witten has owned the middle of the field, but Dallas needs to send Owens over the middle on more crossing routes. The Cowboys have to find a way to get Owens the ball. Although Witten excels at just moving the chains on third downs, Owens is better at gaining big yardage after catches. The Cowboys need to use both Owens and Witten all over the field to keep the Commanders' secondary on its heels.
2. Keep the Commanders' receivers from going long. Dallas needs to take away any big plays from Washington. Todd Collins has been comfortable in looking for his wide receivers downfield, so the Cowboys need to give small cushions to Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and keep them from getting deep. The Commanders want to throw the ball short and allow their receivers to run well after the catch. Cowboys cornerbacks Terence Newman and Jacques Reeves need to sacrifice the short passes to avoid giving up deep balls. Newman and Reeves are great tacklers and need to limit Washington to a short passing game. Giving up a "home run" would also get the Commanders fired up, not to mention the loud crowd at Fed Ex Field.
3. Run on early downs. Romo is playing with a strained thumb and has felt the pressure to perform in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett needs to take the pressure off Romo by establishing a strong running game. Marion Barber and Julius Jones need to be a factor in this game. Barber should get the ball more on first and second down. Romo will be more effective in the resulting third-and-shorts, which also will limit the effectiveness of the Commanders' blitzes.
Commanders Keys For Success
1. Protect Collins. The Cowboys have a great pass rush and will look to throw Washington off-balance. The Commanders must protect Collins in the pocket and give him enough time to throw the ball. Collins has read blitzes and coverage well since replacing Jason Campbell. The Cowboys have an aggressive front seven that will attack from every angle. Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels needs to lead the offensive line in shutting down pressure from outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware off the edge. Collins needs to feel comfortable that his blind side is protected.
2. Win the time of possession. Washington needs to establish a strong running game with Clinton Portis. The Cowboys are solid up front against the run but Washington needs to find a way to move the ball on the ground. The backbone of the Commanders' offense is a solid running game and they need Portis to show up big against their rivals. A strong running game will slow down the pace of the game and help keep the high-powered Cowboys offense off the field. Washington needs to set the tempo at home by winning the battle up front and controlling the clock.
3. Pressure Romo. Romo is battling a sprained thumb and has made more poor throws late in the season. Washington needs to be aggressive and attack Romo and make him make hurried throws. The Commanders have been playing solid defense, putting their offense in good position to win games. The more pressure the Commanders put on Romo, the less opportunities Romo will have to find Owens down field. Witten has carried the receiving load in recent weeks but Dallas is at its strongest when Owens gets his touches. Owens' routes take longer to develop so consistent pressure from Washington will reduce his effectiveness.
