The Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Monday Night Football matchup is scheduled for kickoff at 8:30 PM. ET.
In week 12, not only did Dallas lose to the Carolina Panthers, but they also lost quarterback Tony Romo likely for the season. At 3-8 the Cowboys are still mathematically alive for a playoff off spot in the atrocious NFC East. The Cowboys are only two games back in the loss column behind their opponent this week, the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins are 5-6 and the unlikely leader of the NFC East. Last week, the Redskins beat the Giants playing solid defense. The Redskins picked off Eli Manning three times and held the Giants offense to only 14 points. Against Dallas, the Redskins will face the best defense in the NFC East.
This season, the Cowboys are 0-7 in games not started by Tony Romo. In his absence, Matt Cassel will start. In relief of Romo, Cassel threw for 93 yards and one touchdown. Cassel is a solid backup, but due to lack of reps, he does not anticipate his receivers well. If the Cowboys are to have any success passing, Cassel needs to improve his timing and anticipation.
This season at quarterback, Cousins has thrown 16 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Cousins has passed a touchdown in all 11 games he’s started this season. Cousins is completing 68.4 percent of his passes on the season.
The Redskins have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Dallas, in recent weeks, has seriously struggled to run the ball. In week 13 something will have to give. Dallas still has one of the best offensive lines in the league. In week 12, the Cowboys only managed 31 yards on the ground. The low rushing total was in part due to the Panthers run defense and in part due to falling behind big and having to play catch up. Despite the low rushing total in week 12, the Cowboys have averaged 115 yards per game this season. That average is good enough for 11th in the league.
A player to watch for the Cowboys in week 13 is Darren McFadden. Against the Panthers, McFadden managed a miserable 11 yards on 10 attempts. It was his worst rushing day of the season. He did, however, chip in 45 receiving yards on four receptions. Against NFC East opponents this season, McFadden’s has had mixed performances. In his first two meeting with NFC East opponents, he’s averaged 39 yards on eight attempts. In his last two meetings, however, he’s averaging 134.5 yards on 28 attempts. The Redskins run defense looks extremely suspect. Expect the Cowboys to have a run heavy approach this week.
A player to watch for the Redskins in week 13 is Jordan Reed. Against Carolina, tight end Greg Olsen had five receptions on nine targets for 70 yards. The Panthers did not have an offensive touchdown in week 12, but it’s clear that Dallas struggles to cover tight ends over the middle of the field. In week 12, Reed had eight receptions for 98 yards. On the season, Reed has 55 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns. The Redskins should look to Reed in the red zone and to exploit Dallas’ pass coverage across the middle of the field.
Redskins Vs Cowboys Betting Lines
BetOnline.ag has the Redskins favored by 4 points. The over/under on the total points scored is 42. You can read our full BetOnline review here.
My Pick
The NFC East is by far the worst division in the NFL this season. Either of these teams can make the playoffs and that means they both still have a lot to play for despite their lack of success. The Cowboys still have one of the best rosters, even without Romo. But the Redskins have shown a little more consistency this season. Until Dallas shows it can win without Romo, don’t count on them to get it done this season. Go with the Redskins this week.
Play: Redskins -4 @ BetOnline.ag
cowboys • Monday Night Football • NFL Week 13 Betting Odds • Redskins