FRISCO, Texas – On Sunday at FedEx Field, a battle for the division crown will commence. The Dallas Cowboys hold a two-game lead atop the NFC East – one that could disappear in two games as Dallas faces a division opponent in four of their final five games, including two against the Washington Football Team.
December football carries weight as games present playoff implications down the stretch. Here are several storylines headed into Sunday’s matchup against two division rivals in Landover, Maryland.
- The Cowboys offensive woes continued against the Saints. Despite the rankings and what once was referred to as a “juggernaut” has flipped. Entering the matchup at New Orleans against the third best run defense in the league, Dallas repeatedly ran the ball up the middle on first downs to no avail. Without a 58-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard and a screen to CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys registered just 55 yards on the ground on 22 carries. Dallas’ offense is predicated on running the football. Without it? The offense continues to struggle and the offensive line’s inability to establish the line of scrimmage has contributed. Prescott’s lack of mobility since the ankle and calf injuries have led to a diminished RPO-attack, limiting options. The passing game has left much to be desired as well. Tight window throws due to a lack of separation by Dak Prescott’s supporting cast has been an influential factor. Getting back in sync against Washington’s defense is imperative this week in order to keep playoff aspirations alive. With both Ezekiel Elliott (knee) and Tony Pollard (foot) nursing injuries, along with going up against the third-ranked run defense in the league, Kellen Moore will likely dial up a pass-heavy attack. Washington’s Daron Payne is an elite run stuffer in the interior, dominating blockers with his above-average size and strength. In addition, Jonathan Allen controls the line of scrimmage by clogging holes. If the Cowboys do not have a plan for slowing them down, Washington’s interior presence will wreak havoc.
- The team is optimistic on getting reinforcements up front on the defensive line. Both Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore are slated to make their return from injury on Sunday, joining pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. A formidable unit forms. Gregory’s reps have been condensed this week due to a cold and Gallimore has handled a full workload. McCarthy confirmed he anticipates both to play on Sunday against Washington. The group will be back together for the first time in 2021, barring a setback. Gallimore has not played a down of football all season since suffering an extensive hyperextended elbow during the preseason. Due to the demands of the three-technique position/hand placement, the Cowboys sided with caution and prolonged his absence. Lawrence has lined up with Gregory once all season in the season opener and neither have lined up with Gallimore. Now the unit must build continuity during the week of preparation for Washington. “When you learn what other players want to do, their strengths and weaknesses, you’ve got to be compatible,” Micah Parsons stated. “You can’t take two really good, pretty people and put them together and think they’re going to be compatible, you know, because they look good on paper. That’s the thing about opportunity. You have to work at it.” An interesting analogy, albeit true.
- For Washington, quarterback Taylor Heinicke has provided the team a spark with his improvisation skills and ability to extend plays outside of the pocket. He has become a clutch performer for Washington with deceptive speed outside the pocket. “I think his speed fools a lot of people, just how you see his sets, he looks like a pocket passer, like Drew Brees, but he’s still got legs to him,” DeMarcus Lawrence told media. Against the Saints in Week 13, quarterback Taysom Hill imposed his will on the ground in the third quarter. He rushed for six first downs and 75 yards. Effectively setting the edge and not getting beat at the point of attack/out leveraged inside creating open rushing lanes along the perimeter, will be pivotal for Dallas on Sunday.
- Scott Turner’s perimeter-based attack centers around running back, Antonio Gibson. The hybrid playmaker poses a problem for defenses with his versatility out of the backfield, and as a receiving threat with superb pass-catching skills. He is a big-play threat with elusiveness in space. Sound familiar to another player? Both Tony Pollard and Gibson were teammates at Memphis in 2018 and possess similar crafty styles. Mike McCarthy elaborated to D210SPORTS on the similarities between the former Tigers, “You look at their backgrounds too and where they came from and the positions they played and their ability to be productive. He’s a dynamic back. Obviously, so is Tony. These guys, you put the ball in their hands and our tackling is definitely a focus this week, particularly the yards after contact.” The Cowboys linebacker corps has stressed pre-snap motions and coverage to the flats in practice with senior defensive assistant, George Edwards. Finishing plays and wrapping up tackles will be keys in the game for Dallas to limit yards on the ground.
