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3 Keys to victory for Redskins vs. Cowboys in NFL Week 8

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 01: Members of the Washington Redskins offense line up against the defense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on an extra point during the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on September 1, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 01: Members of the Washington Redskins offense line up against the defense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on an extra point during the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on September 1, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins runs after a catch in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins runs after a catch in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Get Jamison Crowder, Jordan Reed involved in the offense

With the Redskins limited by injuries, they are going to need to utilize the short passing game a lot more than they have in recent weeks. The team should look to target the middle of the field to rip off 5-to-10 yard gains on the regular against the Cowboys. To do that, they have to get Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed involved in the game plan.

Crowder has had a very poor start to the 2017 season. There’s no doubting that. Through seven games, Crowder has posted just 19 catches for 149 yards. Additionally, he has fumbled the ball four times already, and he has been spotty on punt returns. He has to step up at some point, and against the Cowboys would be a good time to do it.

Given that the Redskins are going to have trouble protecting Kirk Cousins on Sunday, the team is going to have to run a lot more short passes than normal. Crowder had been a good slot receiver in prior years, and if Josh Doctson can help by being an outside threat, Crowder may be able to find more room in the middle. If he can separate to get 5-to-10 yards on several catches, that would really help the team.

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Also, the Redskins should focus on getting Reed involved. Last year against the Cowboys, Reed was an unstoppable beast and put up terrific numbers despite playing through a bad shoulder injury. The Cowboys ability to cover tight ends hasn’t greatly improved yet, so the team may not be able to do much against Reed as a result.

Because of this, look for Reed to get involved early. The Redskins should move him around the offense today and look to isolate him in mismatch situations. Cousins will probably target him a great deal, and that could help the passing offense get going even without production from a true No. 1 receiver.

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