NFL Picks Week 3: Predicting Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins

The Dallas Cowboys have received much attention this week for Tony Romo and his fractured rib , as well as his heroics on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.  Many questions have surrounded the team regarding his injury, the severity and how it will affect the game plan set by Jason Garrett.

Meanwhile, Washington Redskins defensive players have proudly stated that they will take aim at Romo—provided that he plays on Monday night against the Redskins.  The Dallas Morning News reported that Brian Orakpo said, "we're just going to try to do our best in getting him down and getting off the field."

On a sharper note, DeAngelo Hall proclaimed, according to Pro Football Talk, “I want to get a chance to put my helmet on whatever’s hurt. Romo’s ribs—I’m going to be asking for some corner blitzes."

Hall knows no boundaries.

At any rate, the Cowboys offense is hurting badly. 

Aside from Romo's fractured rib, Dez Bryant has a thigh injury. Miles Austin is dealing with his persistent hamstring injury.  Felix Jones has a separated shoulder.  Jason Witten has bruised ribs. 

Thus, all of the Cowboys' skill position players are hurting.  Garrett seems to want badly to put Romo, Bryant and Jones on the field on Monday.

But at what cost?

Playing one game with Jon Kitna would be better than putting Romo at risk of missing more games by aggravating the injury.

The Cowboys have some big questions looming for Monday night's game against the Redskins.

Will the Cowboys be effective offensively with all of these injuries?  Will Garrett need to adjust the game plan?  Who will get the catches for the Cowboys?  Will the Cowboys defense be able to carry them?  How much will DeMarcus Ware get to Rex Grossman?

DeMarco Murray

14 rushes, 50 yards, 3 receptions, 20 yards

DeMarco Murray has only had 10 touches in his first two NFL games, but the product of Oklahoma University will receive a good amount of touches under the lights on Monday night, as the Cowboys try to keep the pressure off of Jones.

Murray will find a great deal of trouble against the Redskins defense.  Mostly, Murray will find only enough room for short gains.  He will be able to crack a couple of solid five-to-eight-yard gains, but he won't be able to make a dent in the tough Redskins defense.

Also, Murray will make a few nice catches out of the backfield.

Dez Bryant

5 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD

Bryant will be able to play a fair amount, and may be able to make an impact.  He should be able to play for long stretches despite his thigh injury.  Hall will likely match up against him despite his injury.  Since Hall will take the call for some blitzes, Bryant will take advantage of his freedom, breaking out for a couple of deep catches.  The matchup will be interesting, but if it gets very intense Bryant may need to ease up.

Kevin Ogletree

5 receptions, 58 yards

Ogletree will see several passes coming his way, since he will be the No. 2 receiver on Monday, with Austin out.  Ogletree has done fairly well this season, catching four passes for 62 yards in the first two games.  That includes one short inside route on which he fooled Darrelle Revis.  Ogletree should be able to exploit the banged up Redskins secondary.  Kevin Barnes, Josh Wilson or Byron Westbrook will line up against Ogletree, depending on whether Barnes or Wilson are healthy.  Regardless, Ogletree will have an easy matchup, and should break free a few times for good gains.

Jason Witten

5 catches, 53 yards

Coming off of injury, Witten should have a decent game.  As much as the Redskins might want to target Romo's ribs, they may have to settle for Witten's instead for cheap shots.  Witten will be able to use most of his speed, despite his bruised ribs.  He will break out for a couple of good catches.  If he is strong enough, he will be able to find the end zone, but that is doubtful.

DeMarcus Ware

6 tackles, 4 solo, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT

Ware will get to Grossman easily.  Ware will be able to break past the Redskins offensive line.  He'll be able to notch two more sacks, continuing his record pace. 

Also, Ware will stop a couple of plays behind the line of scrimmage.  Grossman will miss Ware popping up in a passing lane, causing a pass to fall into Ware's hands. 

This will be a huge day for Ware.

Dan Bailey

2/2 FG, 1/1 XP

Dan Bailey was clutch in the Cowboys' win against the 49ers, kicking the game-tying and game-winning field goals.  This week, Bailey will be good, but he won't be able to carry the Cowboys.

Kickers can't carry teams.

Nevertheless, Bailey will do his job.

Prediction

Prediction:  Redskins 17, Cowboys 13

With all of the injuries to key players, the Cowboys will be unable to produce enough offense to put up a strong fight.  Look for Kitna to be under center. 

As much as Garrett wants to play Romo, the thought is unrealistic.  The punctured lung and fractured rib impinge too much on his ability to breathe and make effective throws.  On ESPN Dallas-Fort Worth, medical experts Dr. Michael Kaplan and Stephania Bell said that Romo will be too greatly affected by the injuries to be able to play.

The Cowboys defense will be good.  They'll harry Grossman and slow Tim Hightower.

However, despite the best effort of the Cowboys defense, Grossman will overcome early struggles to carry the Redskins to victory, as he did against the Cardinals.  Grossman will get past two interceptions to throw for one or two touchdowns.

The Cowboys-Redskins rivalry is an intense one.  Too bad the Cowboys have to enter the game riddled with injuries.