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5 bold predictions for Redskins vs. Cowboys in NFL Week 7

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins carries the ball against outside linebacker Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins carries the ball against outside linebacker Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Redskins defense limits Cowboys to 17 points or less

This won’t be an easy feat. After all, the Cowboys just put up 40 points against the Jaguars, who are widely considered to be one of the best defensive teams in the league. That said, the Redskins have the personnel needed to hold the Cowboys in check.

The Cowboys don’t have a lot of offensive weaponry. It’s mostly the Ezekiel Elliott show. While Elliott can pose problems for most defenses, the Redskins, and their sixth-ranked run defense that allows just 90.2 rushing yards per game should be able to at least limit him. If Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen can make it hard for Elliott to get going on the ground, that will force the Cowboys to pass more. And that would be an adventure.

The Cowboys feature a lot of middling options in their receiving corps. Normally, most of them would be tertiary options — or maybe the No. 2 guy if we’re being generous. But of the group, only Cole Beasley has shown the ability to consistently get open. And considering that Beasley is a small slot man, the Redskins should be able to contain him. It will be a bit of a test for Fabian Moreau, but the squad can really focus on putting coverage on Beasley and helping Moreau as necessary.

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If Elliott and Beasley are at least limited, that will put a lot more on Dak Prescott to make some big plays. Prescott has looked like a more than capable signal caller at times during his NFL career but as a passer this year, he has been timid. That could change against Washington, but the Redskins secondary really should match up well against guys like Allen Hurns, Michael Gallup, and Deonte Thompson.

With that said, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Redskins come out and really put the clamps on the Dallas offense. Yes, Elliott could get going at any time and if he ends up alone in coverage on the linebackers, that could be a major problem for the ‘Skins. But at the same time, the coaching staff knows that could be a potential problem, so they will likely scheme to make it less of an issue.

Washington’s defense knows how important this game is. If they can limit the Cowboys to 17 points or less, they will have a very good chance to walk out of the stadium as the winners. They will bring the effort and energy early and often (we hope) and back up this prediction.

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