NFL Picks Week 3: 3 Keys to the Washington Redskins Staying Undefeated

The Washington Redskins take their undefeated record to Dallas, as they take on the Cowboys tonight on Monday Night Football.

The visiting Redskins are four-point underdogs, but the Cowboys have a slew of injuries that could slow them down.

Here's a quick look at three keys to Washington pulling off the road victory, and moving to 3-0. 

Excel in the Pass Game

Rex Grossman has pretty much been the definition of "hit or miss" in his career, but in the first two games of 2011, he has been mostly "hit."

If he wants to get the Redskins an impressive road win on Monday night, Grossman will have to continue to be on his A-game. The Cowboys have shut down the run so far this year, leaving the offensive burden on the veteran QB.

The holes will certainly be there if the 'Skins throw it enough—the Jets threw 44 times and beat the Cowboys to the tune of 335 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.

Mike Jenkins, a Pro Bowler in 2009, struggled for most of last year, and Terrence Newman is returning from a groin injury. Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney aren't necessarily top-tier receivers, but they can beat these guys. 

Get Pressure on the QB

Tony Romo is an above-average quarterback when under pressure, but you have to think that with him nursing a broken rib and punctured lung, the Cowboys will pull him if he gets hit too many times. 

The Redskins would love to get Jon Kitna into the game.

Enter Brian Orakpo, one of the best pass-rushers in the game.

Orakpo will likely match up with Doug Free who is in his second full season as the Cowboys' left tackle. Free was good in Week 1, but he gave up two hits and six pressures against the Niners in Week 2.

Orakpo needs to get to the QB often, and disrupt the Cowboys' offensive timing. 

Slow Down Dez Bryant

Bryant might already be slowed down by a quad injury that made him miss most of Week 1 and all of Week 2. He's been mostly limited in practice this week, but there's speculation that he'll give it a go.

Even at 50 percent, Bryant is one of the most dangerous receivers in the league. With Miles Austin out, Bryant will get even more opportunities, and the 'Skins need to double him constantly.

If Washington can contain the big-play Bryant, that will leave guys like Jason Witten and Kevin Ogletree to beat them.

The Redskins can live with that.