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Redskins vs. Cowboys: 5 keys to victory in Thanksgiving matchup

By Kyle Hundley

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins calls a play during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins calls a play during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – Redskins must find a way to get Colt McCoy settled in as he takes over as the starter

From here on out, barring another injury, it is Colt McCoy‘s team the rest of the season. The NFL is a league of attrition and teams must fight on, no matter who they lose. The great teams develop this ‘next guy up’ mentality and do not makes excuses.

While no one likes or wants to see an injury occur, McCoy coming in after Alex Smith went down did provide a spark for the offense. His second play was a beautiful touchdown pass to Jordan Reed displaying nice touch. From there, he was able to rally the offense to a lead and even put them in a position to steal a win at the end with a long field goal. While the Redskins lost this game, this team showed plenty of resolve and the ability to rally around McCoy. They must do so again this game.

This will be on Jay Gruden this week to call a solid game and call plays to fit what McCoy excels in. While Smith and McCoy are similar in some ways, they are different in others. Smith was very methodical and conservative with where he would throw. McCoy is a classic gunslinger. He is not scared to push it downfield and take some chances. McCoy has been in Jay Gruden’s system since he arrived back in 2014 and knows this offense as well as anyone. Gruden knows what exactly he can do and what his limitations are. If he can get McCoy into his comfort zone early and the Redskins can score a couple of touchdowns, they will be in an excellent position to win.

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