NFL Picks Week 3: Predicting Redskins vs. Cowboys Outcome on Monday Night

Rex Grossman entered the 2011 offseason looking to prove he deserved the starting job. Tony Romo, after missing most of last season, did the same.

Of course, for Romo, there was no question that he'd at least get the benefit of the doubt where the depth chart was concerned. For Grossman, that wasn't the case. The much-maligned director of the Chicago Bears' run to Super Bowl XLI was once again a castoff, stuck behind John Beck, the man most believed would lead the Redskins onto the field in Week 1.

However, Grossman wasn't prepared to go quietly. After a strong showing in the preseason, he wrested the job from Beck, much to the chagrin of Washington fans across the country. That skepticism has quickly turned into hesitant optimism for a franchise picked by everyone to finish dead last in the NFC East.

Well, everyone except Grossman himself, who proudly told the media that he believed his Redskins were the class of the division. That statement was met with plenty of laughter at the time. Now, after a 2-0 start that includes wins over the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, no one's laughing.

At least, not as loudly.

Both teams faced tough tests in their first two games, but conventional wisdom said that if either club would enter Monday night's matchup with a clean slate, it would be the Dallas Cowboys. Not so. The Cowboys enter this one with a 1-1 record courtesy of a classic Tony Romo meltdown in Week 1 against the Jets. 

Of course, another Romo showed up in last week's win over the San Francisco 49ers. It was a Romo we had not met before: an overcoming-painful-injury, determined-to-win-at-all-costs, successful-in-the-clutch Romo—one that returned to the field and would not be denied in a come-from-behind victory.

You can comb the rosters all you want, but this one comes down to Romo vs. Grossman.

Of course, their teammates will show up as well.

The Cowboys are, without question, the better team on paper. Their offense is studded with flash and electricity via Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. They have Pro Bowlers like DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff lining up on defense and a rookie offensive tackle playing like a 10-year vet.

And they have home-palace advantage, with Washington heading into Jerry's house in a prime-time game.

But, believe it or not, the answer returned from DC is a small-handed, turnover-prone, almost-journeyman quarterback named Rex. He's the impetus here. Rookie Ryan Kerrigan deserves some credit, as well. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Brian Orakpo's presence opposite Kerrigan and LaRon Landry's intimidation factor in the secondary, but this is Grossman's team.

And on Monday night, when the lights are burning from above and all eyes are focused on a heated rivalry between two NFC East clubs, Grossman will have to be better than Romo. Romo will have to be better than Grossman.

As great as the story would be if it ended with Grossman leading Washington into 3-0 territory for the first time since 2005, it still seems unlikely.

Against an Arizona Cardinals team known for their porous secondary and blase attitude toward opposing receivers, Grossman was picked twice, nearly allowing the Cards to steal the game. Although the Dallas defensive backfield isn't much stronger, that's not a great sign—especially when you consider the boost in pass rushing that Washington's offensive line will face this week.

With less time and a slightly smoother secondary on the other side, Grossman's mistakes could come at a faster pace. If Dallas is working with a short field, still amped from Romo's heroic return last week, this one could get out of hand early.

Grossman's already proven his doubters wrong to some degree. He earned the starting job when it seemed that Mike Shanahan was intent on force-feeding it to Beck. He's limited his critical mistakes and he has the Redskins off to an improbable 2-0 start. 

Romo, on the other hand, is still fighting. Despite his movie-worthy moment last week, he's still working to become what he can be: an elite NFL starter who wins the tough ones and leads his team deep into the playoffs. 

In a game that will come down to the play under center, the smart money should be on the guy who hasn't yet accomplished any of his goals.

That guy is Tony Romo.

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 21