Redskins vs. Cowboys: 5 players to watch in Week 7
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – QB Alex Smith
Alex Smith, the Redskins newly-anointed starting quarterback, has been everything he was expected to be this season. That’s both good and bad.
Smith hasn’t necessarily lost games for the Redskins. But he hasn’t won them, either. He only does what he needs to do. If the team has a large lead, he stalls out along with the rest of the offense. If the team is down by more than two scores, he can’t catch up.
Granted, Smith hasn’t had the best supporting cast. The Redskins offensive line has been weak on the interior, especially in passing downs, and the team’s receiving core this week will be without Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson, two of Smith’s favorite receivers (in theory). But Smith was brought in to be a solid starter. Someone who would keep Washington in every game. So far, they’ve been in three games, and too far out of two others.
In Week 7, Smith needs to show that he can will his team to a win, just as Dak Prescott did for the Cowboys against Jacksonville last week. Smith has a chance to once again strive for a first under Jay Gruden. The first Cowboys’ win at home during Gruden’s tenure.
Redskins vs. Cowboys: Matchups, score prediction, more. dark. Next
Gruden couldn’t get that season-opening win with Cousins. He couldn’t get that Panthers win with Cousins. And he couldn’t get that home Cowboys’ win with Cousins. In five games, Alex Smith has achieved two of those feats. A win this weekend would not only get the monkey off the back, but it would send the Redskins to 4-2, while sinking the Cowboys deeper into the divisional race. It’s a prime opportunity for a quarterback who still has plenty to prove.