Game-day details
Mon., 9 p.m. ET, Texas Stadium
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Sunny. High: 92. Low: 74.
Why To Watch
This is a matchup of coaching brilliance between future Hall of Famers Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells. Gibbs' Redskins lost both meetings to Parcells' Cowboys last season, but only by three points each time. After widespread offseason changes, these two teams are very different from last season -- and they're looking for very different results.
On the field, it will be about the running backs. Clinton Portis leads the Redskins, and Julius Jones sets the stage for Dallas' offense.
Redskins Keys For Success
1. Pressure QB Drew Bledsoe inside. Bledsoe is not mobile. Defensive linemen like playing against him, because they always know where he is going to be -- in the pocket. The Redskins will try to expose the weak interior of the Cowboys' offensive line by bringing pressure up the middle and collapsing the pocket around the QB. Bledsoe is not one to scramble or throw an ill-advised pass; in fact, he takes too many sacks and should be better about getting rid of the ball.
2. Expose the right side of Dallas' offensive line. Cowboys right tackle Rob Petitti is big and strong, but he's an inexperienced rookie. The Redskins will try to expose him with blitzes and stunts involving defensive end Renaldo Wynn, outside linebackers Warrick Holdman and LaVar Arrington and safety Sean Taylor.
3. Score TDs -- not field goals -- in the red zone. As obvious as this might seem, Washington ranked 31st in scoring last season and managed only three field goals last week against the Bears. With a new blocking scheme and upgrades along the offensive line, Portis should be able to run for scores inside the 20. Halfback Chris Cooley, who has the height, speed and hands to be an option near the goal line, is a red zone threat, along with wide receivers Santana Moss and David Patten.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Get cohesive play from the offensive line. Left tackle Flozell Adams, left guard Larry Allen and right guard Marco Rivera are pro bowl players, but Rivera has injury concerns, center Al Johnson isn't a powerful blocker and Petitti is inexperienced. The line must jell quickly to protect Bledsoe in passing situations and to pave the way for Jones to develop offensive balance. But balance will be hard to come bay against Washington's strong and ever-attacking defense.
2. Use TE Jason Witten to establish the pass. The Redskins' run defense is too strong for the Cowboys to run against in a straight-up power game; Parcells knows the Skins will be looking for Jones and will crowd the box. Expect the Cowboys to use play-action early, looking to bait the aggressive Skins safeties, and use Witten as a main target off the ball fake in the deep middle.
3. Stop Portis. The Cowboys must continue to maintain the gap discipline that they showed last week against LaDainian Tomlinson and consistently stop Portis at the line. Washington will have no choice but to put the ball in the hands of QB Mark Brunell.
Injuries at a glance
Redskins injuries
9/13/05 John Hall K Quad Likely won't play Week 2
9/11/05 Taylor Jacobs WR Toe Game-time decision
9/7/05 Jon Jansen T Wrist Expected to start in Week 1
9/7/05 Ryan Clark S Knee Expects to play in Week 1
Cowboys injuries
9/12/05 Kevin Burnett LB Knee Out 2-3 weeks
8/24/05 Billy Cundiff K Quad tear Out up to six weeks
Pick: Redskins 13, Cowboys 7
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