NFL Week 2: Cowboys at Redskins

Things to Watch

First and foremost, this is an important divisional matchup and pivotal for the NFC East race. This division hasn’t had a repeat division champion since 2003-2004 Philadelphia Eagles. With all four teams in inter-divisional games last week, Washington needs a win to avoid falling 0-2 within the division and on the season. On the flip-side, Dallas could receive a huge boost going up 2-0 within the division and positioning themselves atop the NFC early with a difficult schedule in the second half of the season.  Both teams come into Sunday’s contest with two of the youngest and newest offensive coordinators. Kellen Moore and Kevin O’Connell are both first year coordinators in their early 30s who are former NFL quarterbacks that connect with their respective teams’ current quarterbacks.

Key Matchups

Redskins Front DL vs Cowboys OL

You may have noticed but Dallas boasts one of the better, if not the best, offensive line in the NFL. With a healthy offensive line that hosts three all-pros in Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Fredrick, Washington’s front seven have a tall-task this week. Washington’s defensive line looked stout in the first half against the Eagles but ultimately fell apart in the second half. They allowed Carson Wentz to find success deep downfield when it mattered most. If the Redskins don’t play at their highest level for all sixty minutes, look for Dak Prescott to repeat last week’s performance.

Redskins Defense vs. Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott now has a regular-season game and a week’s worth of practice under his belt. What does this mean for Washington? It’s going to take all 11 men to bottle Zeke up. Last year was a hit or miss when trying to contain the now highest-paid running back in the league. In their first meeting in 2018, Elliott gained a measly 33 yards on 15 carries. In their second meeting, Elliott ran wild for 121 yards on 26 attempts.  The Redskins will not only have their hands full with the Cowboys’ potent passing attack from a week ago but also containing a man out to prove he’s worth all $90 million received two weeks ago.

Raw Take

Dallas heads into the Capital as the 5.5-point favorite Dak and company assaulted the Giants’ secondary. Expect the Cowboys to cover the spread in week 2. The Cowboys are 6-3 against the spread in their last nine games and 5-0 in the last 5 NFC East games. With Zeke knocking off the rust and Dak out to prove his worth, expect Dallas to score early and often. Washington came out hot early against Philadelphia last week going up 17-0 at the half, eventually unravelling to lose 32-27. The Cowboys are just as good as the Eagles and seem to be an already well-oiled machine. I expect the Cowboys to struggle early on defense then gaining momentum as the offense lights up the scoreboard. Look for Terry McLaurin to cash in on another 100-yard day as the sole bright spot in this Washington offense.

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