Redskins-Cowboys Preview & Pick - The Kevin Sheehan Show

The Redskins will beat the Cowboys if…

…they stop the run like they did in the first game. In the Skins’ 20-17 win last month, Zeke Elliott rushed for 33 yards on 15 carries. He’s gone for 273 yards in his last two games on 42 carries in wins over Philly and Atlanta. That’s 6.5 yards per carry. He needs to be 3-point something today. Making Dallas one-dimensional by stopping the run gives them their best chance to win.

…Colt McCoy gives them something they didn’t have offensively with Alex Smith. In the first Dallas game, the Skins punted 6 times on 10 drives. Alex Smith completed just 14-25 for 178 yards and they were 3-12 on 3^rd down. Because of it, they scored just 13 pts offensively. When Colt came in against Houston, the offensive looked different. He was quick read/quick throw which is what Gruden wants. He will take more risks yes but he’ll also make more throws that need to be made that aren’t necessarily big risk throws. I don’t think Colt McCoy will be some magical fix to the offensive issues the team has had but I do think the offense will be at the very least, more productive than it was.

…they get off the field on 3rd down. This may surprise some of you but the Redskins are 26^th in the league right now on 3^rd down defense. Meantime, Dallas is 15 of 29 offensively on 3rd down the last two games. Prescott is making throws, runs, and Elliott is keeping them in good down/distance. The Skins have to be better on 3^rd down or Dallas will dominate time of possession, field position, and perhaps the game.

…they win the turnover battle. For the Redskins who are +12 (3rd best in the league), this is a must. They won the turnover battle last week and lost. They have to be plus-1 or better today. They’ve relied on it to win 6 games this year, they need more of it to get their 7th.

…if Jay Gruden’s management of the game is an asset, not a liability. Gruden cost his team extra plays and time at the end of the Houston game because he didn’t take timeouts the right way. His clock management has been poor over the years. If it doesn’t improve, they might lose another close game because of it.

Prediction:

Dallas 20-17

To listen to yesterday’s podcast which included Chris Cooley, Scott Van Pelt, and Andy Pollin’s picks on today’s game, click below.

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