Washington Football Team: Five bold predictions vs. Cowboys in Week 12

Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Isaiah Wright (83) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Isaiah Wright (83) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Antonio Gibson doubles up Ezekiel Elliott’s yardage total

Washington has been hit or miss against Ezekiel Elliott during his career, but earlier this year, they limited him to just 45 yards on the ground. They should have a chance to do something similar on Sunday.

Taking away Elliott will be something Washington keys in on doing since the Cowboys are a much better team when Elliott can generate yardage. Also, it’s worth noting that Washington experimented with a five-man front last week involving Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Tim Settle, and it worked out well.

If Washington continues to use that five-man front with the goal of slowing down Elliott, they should be able to do it. That way they can render Dallas one-dimensional and hope that their top-ranked pass defense (that’s not a typo… seriously) can hold the Cowboys passing game in check.

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If Elliott can’t get going, there’s a good chance Antonio Gibson will be able to outgain him. Gibson has been playing very well in recent weeks and posted a career-high 128 yards the last time he took on the Cowboys. Having the same success with Leighton Vander Esch will be tougher, but given that Gibson is improving, it is possible.

We’re going to be on Gibson outproducing Elliott once again and doing so at an impressive clip. We’ll say that Gibson can double up Elliott’s total yardage in the game, and Elliott may lose some carries to Tony Pollard at times as the Cowboys try to give Washington a different look.

Gibson is on a hot streak, and there’s no reason to expect it to stop in another favorable matchup. If he posts another good game against the Cowboys, the buzz about the third-round rookie will only continue to grow.