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Redskins Reality Checks Week 12: Redskins ruin Thanksgiving with loss in Dallas

By Tim Payne

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 9 : Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on 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 : Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on 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) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs upfield against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs upfield against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Reality Is, the Cowboys have made two major changes for the better since the Redskins beat them in week 7.

The Cowboys made the change to Marc Colombo as offensive line coach and added Amari Cooper since the first time they faced the Redskins this season. I was watching to see if these changes impacted the Redskins’ defensive strategy against Dallas. I was also watching to see if Norman travels with Cooper. I predicted the game would look very little like the Week 7 tilt. I suggested the game would be much more wide open with more yards, more points, and more turnovers. I expected more mistakes from both sides as well as the intensity and pace being picked up.

Reality Check: The intensity was up, the Cowboys’ offense was more explosive, and the Redskins were drawn into a more explosive type of game…which they are not equipped or built to win. There were more points, and the Redskins had three more turnovers. The Cowboys managed not to turn the ball over, which was proof the Redskins really didn’t adjust appropriately to the changes in the Cowboys had made since their last meeting.

4. Reality Is, the defensive line has to stop Zeke and get pressure on Dak.

I said the Redskins could afford to give up a few plays to Dak on the ground and a few chunk passing plays to the Cowboys’ receiving core. I said they couldn’t afford is to let Zeke pound them for 150+ yards and to give Dak time to pick them apart with the short and intermediate passing game.

I was watching to see if they would be creative to get pressure on Prescott while still containing Elliott. I was hoping they would be aggressive and bring a variety of blitzes. I thought Manusky would dial up the pressure in this game to mix it up from how they approached the last game. I expected Elliot to get his yards, but also expected there to be many series where the Cowboys end up behind the sticks. I expected the interior defensive line to have a big day in the pass rush. I also said the Redskins would sack Prescott times, but Elliott would rush for 125 yards and two TDs on 26 carries.

Reality Check: The Redskins got those four sacks in the first half, but were out-adjusted at halftime and failed to notch another sack in the second half. Elliott did get 121 yards and 1 TD on 26 carries.

Zeke didn’t kill the Redskins. Dak didn’t kill the Redskins. Take away two huge chunk plays by Amari Cooper off missed tackles in the secondary, and the Redskins very well could have won this game.

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