Previewing Dallas and Washington: will the season end already for the losing team?
A popular point of conversation is that the team that exits FedEx Field with the loss will have little left to play for. And yet that’s the reality facing Dallas (0-1) and Washington (0-1) after week one losses. Neither wants to be 0-2 because the odds of making the playoffs drop dramatically.
So if you’re Washington, you already know the uphill task waiting in November and December. Minnesota, Green Bay, Arizona and Carolina are waiting. And with another NFC East opponent up next in week 3 (New York Giants), it would certainly help Kirk Cousins and Company to get a win against the Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Dallas looked great as rookie quarterback Dak Prescott moved the ball all over the field against the Giants. Problem was they couldn’t finish drives, settling for four field goals. That will be a point of emphasis this week and it must be resolved if the Cowboys want to avoid the bad memories of 2015. Some could argue starting this season 0-2 will feel too much like the misery of 4-12 from a year ago.
Both teams agree getting a win in week 2 is much better than the alternative. Now it’s about doing the things necessary to get accomplish that feat.
Offensive priority — Dallas must get the run game going. The Giants were simply not going to let the offensive line and running backs Alfred Morris and Ezekiel Elliott beat them. So they limited the duo to 86 yards on 27 carries. Washington allowed Pittsburgh to run for 147 yards, while Ben Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards.
Best matchup — Part of the reason for the Steeler quarterback’s success was because of receiver Antonio Brown, who caught eight passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Brashaud Breeland, Washington’s No. 2 cornerback, was the defender, not Josh Norman, who signed with the team in April.
So does that mean Norman will cover Dez Bryant? Right now Washington is examining everything it’s doing, so don’t be surprised.
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