Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins: What's the Game Plan for Washington?

From hunter to hunted. Such is the reality of the NFC East-leading Washington Redskins.

Following its first win over the New York Giants in two years, Washington will have to accomplish another first to maintain its position at the top of the division. 

While the Redskins are riding a five-game winning streak at home, they've still yet to register back-to-back wins in 2015. On the national stage, against the rival Dallas Cowboys, no less, they'll look to bring an end to this trend.

Will they succeed? 

Let's find out. Here's the Week 13 game plan for Washington.

Offensive Game Plan

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To no avail, the Skins were unable to revive their long-dormant rushing attack against the Giants' porous defense. 

While the century mark (105 yards) was eclipsed on the ground, the offensive line's struggles to open running lanes was further illustrated by the team's meager average of 2.8 yards per carry.

Still, it's the attempts that matter most here. In running 37 times, the Skins protected their defense and, most importantly, their quarterback.

When accumulating 30-plus rushing attempts, Washington is 4-1, with its defense holding opponents to 15 points per game. For his part, Kirk Cousins has eight touchdowns to two interceptions.

Life will be tough on the ground with Dallas owning the NFL's 15th-ranked rushing defense. But with a staunch commitment to the run, the Skins can both limit Cousins' exposure to 3rd-and-long and take advantage of his proficiency throwing the play-action pass. 

According to ESPN.com, on 3rd-and-long (nine yards or more to first down), Cousins averages just 5.2 yards an attempt, with zero touchdowns and four interceptions.

Moving to the play-action game, he ranks among the NFL's elite. Speaking to Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd, NFL Films' Greg Cosell highlighted this fact (h/t MSN.com).

"(Cousins) is the best play-action passer in the NFL. He's completing almost 75 percent of his play-action passes, averaging almost 11 yards per attempt," he said.

In light of this, balance will play a pivotal role in the amount of success Washington experiences.

Defensive Game Plan

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The Cowboys aren't lacking for weapons in the passing game with Jason Witten and a healthy Dez Bryant in the lineup. But minus Tony Romo, there's no need for this duo to be at the top of defensive coordinator Joe Barry's game plan.

Instead, this distinction needs to be heaped upon, believe it or not, Darren McFadden. The oft-injured running back has been rejuvenated running behind Dallas' talented offensive line. 

He's not the peak McFadden of 2010, but with 891 total yards, he's on pace to turn in the second-best season of his career. 

Since supplanting Joseph Randle as the feature back in Week 7, the Cowboys offense has gone as he has.

McFadden has eclipsed the 100-yard barrier three times the past six weeks. In these contests, the team averages 23.6 points per game. With McFadden tallying a grand total of 107 rushing yards, Dallas' scoring dipped to 10.6 points per game in his other three starts.

This puts the onus on Washington's rushing defense to answer the bell. Even after holding New York to 33 yards, it still comes in at No. 27 against the run.

With Matt Cassel completing just 33 percent of his throws traveling at least 11 yards, per ESPN.com, the Redskins can commit additional defenders to stop the run without fear of getting hit for a big play downfield. 

Key Players and Matchups

Bashaud Breeland vs. Dez Bryant

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It was against Dez Bryant in 2014 that Bashaud Breeland had his coming-out party. In the teams' first meeting, Bryant could only muster 30 yards and three receptions—one of which went for a touchdown—on seven targets.

With four passes defensed, Breeland was the primary reason for Bryant's quiet night. Chris Culliver was signed to match up with receivers the caliber of Bryant. But now that he's lost for the season, Breeland will again draw this assignment.

Knowing Cassel's limitations throwing downfield, Breeland has to be on the lookout for screens and rub routes designed to free up Bryant for quick-hitters. And once the ball reaches Bryant, he'll need to corral him to limit his yards after the catch.

Redskins Offensive Line vs. Cowboys Pass Rush

Despite the talent it has on hand, Dallas is only 25th in league in sacks with 20. The return on the team's investment in Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence is just 7.5 sacks.

Even so, the Cowboys still have managed to hold up against the pass. At 225 yards per game, they field the NFL's No. 7 pass defense.

With the secondary holding up its end of the bargain, Dallas can gamble a bit and blitz to get after Cousins. 

Washington has held up well in pass protection in 2015, surrendering just 17 sacks. But with Trent Williams standing as the only lineman with starting experience past this season, you can bank on the Cowboys rolling out some exotic blitzes to test the Skins' young front. 

Prediction

The Redskins are entering new territory in their role as the favorite here. Unexpected or not, the schedule favors them to finish the year as the NFC East champ. None of their remaining opponents sport winning records, and altogether they have a winning percentage of .363.

While this matchup constitutes a rivalry, given the struggles of the Cowboys sans Romo, Washington's only adversary here is itself. Dallas is 29th in scoring offense and last in turnover differential.

Cousins has shrunken under the bright lights before. The difference here, though, is he's at home. On the year, he has 11 touchdowns to two interceptions at FedEx Field.

With a decided edge at quarterback, the Redskins will avoid the upset and remain the leaders in the NFC East. And they'll have Cassel to thank for that.

He's been loose with the football (five interceptions, three fumbles) during his brief stint with Dallas. Playing from behind, and against a Washington defense that's tallied eight turnovers its past four home games, this trend will continue in yet another defeat.

Final Score: Redskins 23, Cowboys 17