Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins: Complete Week 17 Preview for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys have had a season that has exceeded everyone's expectations. They are 11-4 and 7-0 on the road, while beating great teams like the Seattle Seahawks along the way. They have clinched their playoff berth and look primed to make a run.
However, they have to get through one more game before they get into the games that really matter. The Cowboys face their division rival, the Washington Redskins (4-11), Sunday at FedEx Field in a game where the Cowboys don't have much to gain, but a whole lot to lose.
In the last meeting between these two teams, the Redskins upset the Cowboys 20-17 in a game where everything that could go wrong did for the Cowboys. Tony Romo got hurt, Dez Bryant was ineffective and a below-average quarterback beat the defense.
This time around, the Cowboys have to come away relatively healthy so that they are as strong as they can be heading into the wild-card playoffs.
The Cowboys are a vastly superior team, but when these two teams go to battle, the records don't matter. The Cowboys will have to be on their game if they hope to keep their flawless road record.
Read on for some news and notes, injury information and players to watch on Sunday.
Cowboys' Week 16 Recap
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The Cowboys (11-4) beat the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) 42-7 in a matchup where the Cowboys dominated every facet of the game.
The Cowboys defense put together its best performance of the season as it stymied Andrew Luck and the Colts offense unlike any other team has done this season.
The biggest hindrance to the defense has been their inability to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks; however, that changed against the Colts as they got continuous pressure throughout the game.
Tony Romo was incredible throughout the game as he only had two incompletions. He made timely and accurate throws throughout the game and led the Cowboys offense to one of its best games of the season. Romo's performance should put him in the MVP discussion.
J.J. Wilcox continues to show improvement in his coverage, as he had a beautiful interception to end the first half.
The Cowboys win clinched their spot in the playoffs as they took the NFC East crown.
They look forward now to a division game against the Washington Redskins in which they will try to get revenge for their earlier defeat.
News and Notes
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Sitting Starters Not Likely
One of the biggest questions entering this week's game is whether the Cowboys are going to sit some of their key players to save them for the playoffs. That doesn't seem likely, according to ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer:
"'There’s a playoff scenario with us winning the game will give us an opportunity to get a first-round bye so we’re going to take advantage of what we can take advantage of and players are football players,' Garrett said. 'There are 16 opportunities to play and guys who are healthy are going to play in this game and practice this week and play in the game. Ballgames are important to us.
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It is apparent that the head coach Jason Garrett doesn't want the Cowboys players to relax the week before the playoffs. He obviously wants the Cowboys to carry their considerable momentum that they have accumulated into the playoffs.
The Cowboys have preached the mantra of "Finishing the Fight" throughout the season and they would be doing the opposite if they didn't fight in the last regular-season game.
6 Cowboys Make the Pro Bowl
Six players on the Dallas Cowboys earned a Pro Bowl selection, per The Dallas Morning News' Rainer Sabin. All six of the Cowboys are a part of the offense as Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith all earned a bid.
All six of the players earned their bids and there doesn't appear to be any glaring snubs on the Cowboys roster. Dan Bailey was hurt by the two blocked field goals he had and Orlando Scandrick was worthy of a bid, but his early suspension made him ineligible.
It is a testament to the Cowboys front office that four out of their last five first-round picks made the Pro Bowl with three of them being along the offensive line.
J.J. Wilcox Playing Well
J.J. Wilcox has really come on strong the last few weeks. He credits a lot of that to spending more time in the film room, per Archer:
"“I’m still new to the position but I can definitely say it’s taking a tone down off the speed and understanding where I need to be and understanding my assignments and how the opponent is going to attack us,” said Wilcox, who played running back before moving to safety in his last year at Georgia Southern. “Studying film a little extra and understanding the defense helps a lot.”
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The Cowboys have been in desperate need of a competent safety tandem since Darren Woodson retired. With the emergence of Wilcox and the always-steady Barry Church, the safety position has been one of the stronger units on a defense that has overachieved all season.
Injury Report
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| Josh Brent (calf) | DT | Questionable |
| Tony Romo (back) | QB | Probable |
| Rolando McClain (knee) | LB | Probable |
| Zack Martin (ankle) | OG | Questionable |
| Jeff Heath (thumb) | SS | Probable |
| Dekoda Watson (hamstring) | LB | Doubtful |
| Doug Free (ankle) | OT | Questionable |
| DeMarco Murray (hand) | RB | Questionable |
All injury information comes from the Cowboys' official team website.
The biggest question is whether the Cowboys will look to sit their banged up players like Zack Martin in a game that doesn't mean much. Doug Free will likely get one more week to heal his injury; therefore, Jermey Parnell will get another opportunity to start on Sunday. Outside of that, the questions regarding players sitting doesn't have to do with if they can play, but the risk-reward of them playing and risking injury.
Tony Romo has been injured in the last two meetings between the Redskins and Cowboys and it would appear wise to not subject him to that happening a third time.
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X-Factor and Matchups to Watch
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Jermey Parnell vs. Ryan Kerrigan
With the injury to Doug Free, Jermey Parnell will likely get his fifth start of the season against the Washington Redskins. For the majority of the day, he will be matched up against the Redskins' outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
Parnell is a huge player with extremely long arms who is light on his feet, which allows him to give opposing rushers huge problems in pass protection. Ryan Kerrigan has been one of the best pass-rushers this year as he has notched 13.5 sacks on the year.
The area where Kerrigan has a huge advantage is in the run game. Kerrigan plays extremely disciplined against the run with sound technique. Parnell struggles with his pad level and driving his feet through contact.
Expect Parnell to hold his own in pass protection but have his struggles in the run game opposite of Kerrigan.
Orlando Scandrick vs. DeSean Jackson
Orlando Scandrick may be the best slot cornerback in football. He does an incredible job of blanketing the smaller, speedier receivers who give so many teams troubles. This season, he has shut down players like Percy Harvin and Brandin Cooks, who are both small and extremely fast.
This week, Scandrick will have another test from a small, speedy receiver in DeSean Jackson. Jackson is an extremely tough cover because of his unique speed and explosiveness. He runs crisp routes and capitalizes on any mistakes that an opposing team makes.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, Scandrick doesn't make many mistakes, and he has the athleticism required to stay with Jackson throughout the game.
Look for the Cowboys to have Scandrick follow Jackson all over the field in hopes of limiting the receiver's effectiveness.
X-Factor of the Week: Jason Garrett
Head coach Jason Garret is not the X-Factor because of his ability to beat the Redskins schematically; it is because the pressure is on him to make sure the Cowboys don't hinder their ability to win in the playoffs by making bad personnel decisions this week.
If the Cowboys come out of this game healthy, Garrett will be lauded regardless of the decision he makes. However, if a big-time contributor gets hurt in this game and is limited or unavailable next week, Garrett will be thoroughly criticized by fans and media alike.
Garrett must walk the fine line of keeping the team on their toes and allowing the Cowboys the best opportunity to win next week.
Prediction
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The Cowboys don't need a win as much as they need to stay healthy. Nevertheless, they are the much better team who should be able to pull it out against the Redskins.
The Cowboys should be able to dominate and control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, while controlling the clock with a dominant running game.
DeMarco Murray should set the Cowboys' season rushing record and Joseph Randle should get a healthy amount of carries.
If the Cowboys defense can limit DeSean Jackson and bottle up Alfred Morris, they should have no problem winning this game.
Expect this game to be tougher than expected, but the Cowboys offense should be able to make enough plays to get the win.
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Redskins 21
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