After a N.Y. Giants' blowout loss against the Carolina Panthers earlier today, the Cowboys have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight in the 100th meeting with the Redskins. Dallas is 58-39-2 all time against Washington. (AP Photo/Jim Dietz)It all comes down to this. While next week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles likely has division title implications, this week's game against the 4-10 Washington Redskins decides if Dallas is going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
The Cowboys are coming off a statement-game, a 24-17 victory in New Orleans over the then undefeated Saints. A dominant first half and a defense that wreaked havoc on Drew Brees sealed the victory. With the win, Dallas proved the belong among the NFC's elite teams - at least for one week.
For the Redskins, they are coming off of a complete ass-spanking delivered from the N.Y. Giants. Washington got down 24-0 at the end of the half, and lost 45-12. The Redskins are 0-5 against the NFC East. They have lost four of their past five games but, other than the Giants' loss, they lost the other three games by a combined seven points to the Cowboys, Eagles, and Saints. Let's not forget that this is the same Washington team held Dallas scoreless for nearly 58 minutes of their game at Cowboys' stadium - and now they likely have big defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the lineup.
The Stats (Per Game):
COWBOYS OFFENSE - OVERALL 394.5 (3), RUSH 129.7 (7), PASS 264.5 (7)
COWBOYS DEFENSE - OVERALL 329.9 (15), RUSH 97.7 (6), PASS 232.1 (21)
REDSKINS OFFENSE - OVERALL 317.9 (23), RUSH 100.1 (25), PASS 217.9 (16)
REDSKINS DEFENSE - OVERALL 311.3 (9), RUSH 117.2 (23), PASS 194.1 (5)
The Redskins defense appears solid on paper but, over the last four games, they have given up an average of 29.5 points a game. Also, it is uncertain whether or not Haynesworth will play because in his words "They're all against me, or whatever". Washington is 15th in the NFL in scoring defense (21.1) and their vulnerability against the run has been well documented.
The Prediction:
Unlike some others' picks, I don't believe this game is going to be a blowout in favor of the Cowboys. This game is going to be the Redskins SuperBowl in a lost season, the weather is going to be cold and Dallas is going to be on the road in a hostile environment. But Dallas is clearly the better team and should take care of business - but that hasn't been the Cowboys' M.O. is recent years.
I believe Marion Barber is going to have a good day (99 yards against the Skins earlier this season) along with a suffocating Dallas defense will lead to a Cowboys' win.
Cowboys 20 - Redskins 10
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