Oldskool
September-29th-2008, 04:09 PM
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/09/29/ted-sundquists-week-four-game-reviews-redskins-at-cowboys/
TED SUNDQUIST’S WEEK FOUR GAME REVIEWS: REDSKINS AT COWBOYS
Posted by Mike Florio on September 29, 2008, 4:34 p.m. EDT
[Editor’s note: Former Broncos G.M. Ted Sundquist takes a look at Sunday’s battle between the Cowboys and the Redskins, in their last meeting ever at Texas Stadium.]
The first of two meetings between these two longtime division rivals certainly lived up to the storied history of games between the Cowboys and Redskins over the years. Dallas was on a three-week roll, disposing of their opponents with a big-play offense and hard-hitting defense that had pundits predicting Super Bowl XLIII before the end of the week. Washington was coming into Irving with the intent of staying in stride with the rest of the ultra-competitive NFC East.
In the end, it was the Redskins that made up some ground. Washington won in workmanlike fashion behind a balanced and ball-controlling offensive attack, coupled with a physical and soundly stout defense. The Redskins were able to clamp down on the Cowboys’ explosive weapons and unleash some of there own. Key #1 was for Dallas to get off to a quick start. The Redskins had shown a certain stinginess at the start and end of their first 3 games. Washington had surrendered just a total of 10 points over 6 quarters (1st & 4th). Dallas has relied upon its big-play ability to build early leads, and then close out opponents behind the running game of Marion Barber III. I thought Terrell Owens was due for some big production. T.O. had been a thorn in the side of the Redskins last year (Week 11) catching 8 balls for 173 yards and 4 TD’s. During the last few weeks the offense had focused on TE Jason Witten, and it was time for a T.O. breakout.
Dallas went to Owens on their first play from scrimmage, for a 7-yard completion. Three plays later, QB Tony Romo would attempt to go deep to Owens up the right sideline. All the credit goes to Redskin’s DC Shawn Springs. Springs was excellent in the first half, keeping Owens in check and slowing the explosive receiver. Romo was forced to go to his secondary target, Patrick Crayton, who finished the first half with 6 receptions of his own. But the Redskins kept (for the most part) the big plays in check and smothered the Dallas ground game. This allowed the ‘Skins to overcome their usual slow start and build a 17-10 halftime lead behind seventeen 2nd quarter points. It was only the second time Dallas had trailed at the half, falling behind to Philly after giving up 24 points (again in the 2nd quarter).
I focused on TE Chris Cooley as my 2nd KEY for the Redskins. Washington had done very little over the first 3 games in getting their RB’s involved in the passing game for QB Jason Campbell. I thought Cooley might be a key in keeping some drives alive and serving as an outlet in the Redskins’ passing attack. Cooley’s numbers were solid, but he caught two 3rd down passes to keep the chains moving (both on scoring drives) and was targeted on two others. He would finish the game with 4 receptions for 28 yards.
Washington did go into Dallas and send a message. Their win has established the NFC East (top to bottom) with the most playoff contenders from one division. Winning on the road in Dallas is a major accomplishment against a very talented and driven Cowboys team. Dallas had been clicking on all cylinders and QB Tony Romo was an integral part in why they entered Sunday’s game at 3-0. Romo can pick clean any defense that doesn’t put pressure on him, but his numbers tend to fall with defenders in his face. I thought KEY #3 would be the ability for Washington to put some heat on the Dallas QB without DE Jason Taylor. That would leave the veteran Andre Carter to pick up the slack. Amazingly, the Redskins won without producing a single sack and only 2 QB hurries. It was the tight play of the secondary that held down the Cowboys and their inability to move the ball on the ground. Dallas turned 50% of their 3rd downs, but also produced four three and outs, and trailed almost 16 minutes in time of possession.
What was the difference? KEY #4 for me was Clinton Portis. I felt Clinton had too much talent and big-play ability to not be making a larger contribution. Portis took control of the ground game and pounded out 121 yards on 21 carries. I felt a key stat would be his ability to average over 4.0 yards per carry. He averaged 5.8 per. With Portis and Betts able to establish the run, Dallas could not put the pressure on Campbell that it was accustomed to. The Redskins had the Cowboys a bit off balance in the first half and were able to close out the second with a steady diet of “ground chuck” behind Samuels, Kendall, Rabach, Thomas, and Jansen. This was an impressive performance against an opponent that had held its previous 3 foes to 84 yards on the ground. Portis stepped up big in this big game.
My final KEY (#5) was the ability for WAS punter Durant Brooks to step up his play. Brooks had struggled over the first three weeks with only a 32.5 net. With a quick-strike offense staring at you on the other sideline, the Redskins needed every aspect of their special teams to create long field situations for the Cowboys. Brooks was up to the task. His net of 42.8 was some 10 yards farther than his average and he was able to pin the Cowboys inside their 20 twice with subsequent drives ending in a punt and an interception.
TED SUNDQUIST’S WEEK FOUR GAME REVIEWS: REDSKINS AT COWBOYS
Posted by Mike Florio on September 29, 2008, 4:34 p.m. EDT
[Editor’s note: Former Broncos G.M. Ted Sundquist takes a look at Sunday’s battle between the Cowboys and the Redskins, in their last meeting ever at Texas Stadium.]
The first of two meetings between these two longtime division rivals certainly lived up to the storied history of games between the Cowboys and Redskins over the years. Dallas was on a three-week roll, disposing of their opponents with a big-play offense and hard-hitting defense that had pundits predicting Super Bowl XLIII before the end of the week. Washington was coming into Irving with the intent of staying in stride with the rest of the ultra-competitive NFC East.
In the end, it was the Redskins that made up some ground. Washington won in workmanlike fashion behind a balanced and ball-controlling offensive attack, coupled with a physical and soundly stout defense. The Redskins were able to clamp down on the Cowboys’ explosive weapons and unleash some of there own. Key #1 was for Dallas to get off to a quick start. The Redskins had shown a certain stinginess at the start and end of their first 3 games. Washington had surrendered just a total of 10 points over 6 quarters (1st & 4th). Dallas has relied upon its big-play ability to build early leads, and then close out opponents behind the running game of Marion Barber III. I thought Terrell Owens was due for some big production. T.O. had been a thorn in the side of the Redskins last year (Week 11) catching 8 balls for 173 yards and 4 TD’s. During the last few weeks the offense had focused on TE Jason Witten, and it was time for a T.O. breakout.
Dallas went to Owens on their first play from scrimmage, for a 7-yard completion. Three plays later, QB Tony Romo would attempt to go deep to Owens up the right sideline. All the credit goes to Redskin’s DC Shawn Springs. Springs was excellent in the first half, keeping Owens in check and slowing the explosive receiver. Romo was forced to go to his secondary target, Patrick Crayton, who finished the first half with 6 receptions of his own. But the Redskins kept (for the most part) the big plays in check and smothered the Dallas ground game. This allowed the ‘Skins to overcome their usual slow start and build a 17-10 halftime lead behind seventeen 2nd quarter points. It was only the second time Dallas had trailed at the half, falling behind to Philly after giving up 24 points (again in the 2nd quarter).
I focused on TE Chris Cooley as my 2nd KEY for the Redskins. Washington had done very little over the first 3 games in getting their RB’s involved in the passing game for QB Jason Campbell. I thought Cooley might be a key in keeping some drives alive and serving as an outlet in the Redskins’ passing attack. Cooley’s numbers were solid, but he caught two 3rd down passes to keep the chains moving (both on scoring drives) and was targeted on two others. He would finish the game with 4 receptions for 28 yards.
Washington did go into Dallas and send a message. Their win has established the NFC East (top to bottom) with the most playoff contenders from one division. Winning on the road in Dallas is a major accomplishment against a very talented and driven Cowboys team. Dallas had been clicking on all cylinders and QB Tony Romo was an integral part in why they entered Sunday’s game at 3-0. Romo can pick clean any defense that doesn’t put pressure on him, but his numbers tend to fall with defenders in his face. I thought KEY #3 would be the ability for Washington to put some heat on the Dallas QB without DE Jason Taylor. That would leave the veteran Andre Carter to pick up the slack. Amazingly, the Redskins won without producing a single sack and only 2 QB hurries. It was the tight play of the secondary that held down the Cowboys and their inability to move the ball on the ground. Dallas turned 50% of their 3rd downs, but also produced four three and outs, and trailed almost 16 minutes in time of possession.
What was the difference? KEY #4 for me was Clinton Portis. I felt Clinton had too much talent and big-play ability to not be making a larger contribution. Portis took control of the ground game and pounded out 121 yards on 21 carries. I felt a key stat would be his ability to average over 4.0 yards per carry. He averaged 5.8 per. With Portis and Betts able to establish the run, Dallas could not put the pressure on Campbell that it was accustomed to. The Redskins had the Cowboys a bit off balance in the first half and were able to close out the second with a steady diet of “ground chuck” behind Samuels, Kendall, Rabach, Thomas, and Jansen. This was an impressive performance against an opponent that had held its previous 3 foes to 84 yards on the ground. Portis stepped up big in this big game.
My final KEY (#5) was the ability for WAS punter Durant Brooks to step up his play. Brooks had struggled over the first three weeks with only a 32.5 net. With a quick-strike offense staring at you on the other sideline, the Redskins needed every aspect of their special teams to create long field situations for the Cowboys. Brooks was up to the task. His net of 42.8 was some 10 yards farther than his average and he was able to pin the Cowboys inside their 20 twice with subsequent drives ending in a punt and an interception.