Cowboys vs. Redskins: 7 Keys to a Redskins Victory

The Washington Redskins renew hostilities with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, desperate to return to winning ways.

The Redskins are in the midst of a five-game losing skid and their once promising season has begun to collapse.

But a win over hated rivals is the best possible way to re-ignite the campaign and the Redskins will need to be at their best to subdue a Cowboys team that is coming off two big home victories.

Mike Shanahan's team should still be smarting from their narrow Week 3 loss in Texas.  The Redskins outplayed the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

But they contributed to their own undoing with dubious play-calling and costly mistakes at critical times.  This week provides the perfect opportunity to make amends.

Here are seven keys to scoring a huge victory over the Cowboys.

7. Run the Ball

The Cowboys run defense has become increasingly suspect in recent weeks and the Redskins must capitalise.

Even in their 44-7 blowout of the Buffalo Bills, the Dallas defense still allowed Fred Jackson to rush for over 100 yards.

The multiple movement and heavily disguised alignments of Rob Ryan's defense, are creating plenty of good matchups against the pass.

But the heavy dose of scheme is leaving rushing lanes exposed for teams to exploit.  Shanahan has so far failed to implement his famed zone blocking rushing attack.

If ever there was a time for the scheme to yield a breakout performance, it is this week.  Washington should give promising rookie Roy Helu a chance to show what he can do on the ground.

The Redskins should also see what veteran Tashard Choice can do against his former employers.  Controlling the clock via the run, will nullify the dangerous Cowboys pass rush and keep their explosive offense on the sidelines.

6. Throw to the Running Backs Early and Often

Washington's offensive gameplan must include plenty of pass plays designed to go to the running backs.  Helu proved himself to be a very capable receiver, when he set a franchise record with 14 receptions, two weeks ago against the San Francisco 49ers.

Choice is a decent pass catcher and has plenty of third down experience from his days in Dallas.  The Redskins must use these weapons.

The Cowboys defense is quick and active inside, led by the dynamic play of the superb Sean Lee.  But the vertical threat from tight end Fred Davis ought to occupy at least one inside linebacker.

There should be space underneath for the running backs to exploit.  Regularly hitting the backs out of the backfield will eventually draw some coverage away from Davis, who struggled to make an impact in the first meeting.

5. Use Some No Huddle

The Redskins should frequently adopt a hurry-up approach, to prevent the wholesale substitutions common in the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme.

Rob Ryan likes to use a lot of personnel and to roll in and out of various packages.  Going no huddle is a good way for the Redskins to create some favourable matchups.

Rex Grossman should keep the play-calling simple and practical in these situations and target whatever weaknesses are present in the Cowboys alignment.

4. Provide Plenty of Help Against DeMarcus Ware

It is easier said than done, but the Redskins must find a way to control the NFL's best pass-rusher, DeMarcus Ware.

Washington's offense should make a committed effort to nullifying the threat posed by Ware.  This means always having a supporting blocker to assist Trent Williams and chip the lethal edge rusher.

The Redskins should consider some two tight end sets and even sacrificing a receiver and going with an additional tackle on some plays.

Limiting pressure from the perimeter is crucial for the Redskins and the best way to ensure that Rex Grossman has the time to look for openings in the Cowboys coverage schemes.

3. Use Press Coverage Against the Cowboys Wide Receivers

The Washington defense should adopt an aggressive man coverage scheme against the Cowboys dangerous wide receivers.

Physical, press bump and run coverage will be needed to contain tall flankers Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson.

Former St. Louis Rams castoff Robinson has emerged as a legitimate big play target in recent weeks and Bryant made crucial receptions in the Week 3 showdown.

The Redskins corners must get in the faces of the Dallas wideouts and use plaster techniques to stay on the receivers and force Tony Romo to be extremely accurate with his throws.

Man coverage has steadily started to re-emerge as a favoured weapon of NFL defenses this season, after zone coverages have been the vogue in many recent years.

Rolling the cornerbacks up on the receivers and closer to the line of scrimmage will make Romo pause in the pocket and provide more time for the Redskins pass rush to get to him.

Although Jim Haslett should not necessarily view successful execution of man coverage as an open invitation to hit the all-out blitz button.

2. Create Pressure Up the Middle

When the Redskins do blitz, they should concentrate their pressure through the middle of the Cowboys blocking scheme.

The inside linebackers and the safeties should be routinely blitzed through the middle and directly into Tony Romo's line of sight.

The Cowboys have become better at dealing with edge pressure as the season has progressed and will no doubt go into this game on the lookout for outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.

Surprising Romo with a central assault could force the Cowboys into some costly early mistakes and create some valuable momentum for the Redskins.

1. Maintain Rush Lanes Against DeMarco Murray

Stopping sensational Cowboys rookie runner DeMarco Murray has to be the top priority for the Redskins defense.

There really is no magic formula or complex schematic solution.  Patience and discipline will be the keys for Washington's rush defense.

The Redskins need to rely on the natural advantages of their 2-gap, 3-4 scheme and maintain their rush lanes.  It will require a collective, team effort.

Orakpo and Kerrigan must set a hard edge and hold the perimeter.  The Redskins will need a big game from Barry Cofield.

The big nose tackle will need to gain regular penetration and force Murray towards the inside linebackers.  The defensive line must hold up Cowboys blockers and not allow any push.

This read and react style could serve to limit the number of big gains Murray is able to achieve.  By restricting Murray to short yardage, the Redskins will force Romo to try and beat them..

It is a true make or break moment in the Redskins season.  A win over the Cowboys would lift the atmosphere amongst the fans and restore confidence in the team.

It is not too late for the Redskins to turn things around.  Beating their old rival is an essential first step on the road to recovery.