Week 13 kicks off in the NFL as two familiar foes clash on Thursday Night with their seasons on the line as the Washington Redskins (5-6) head to Arlington to take on the Dallas Cowboys (5-6).
With the loser of this match essentially out of the playoff race, this becomes a winner-take-all type of game and that doesn’t bode well for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys were built around a system that relied on their offensive line paving the way to run the football first and pass later, but that system is now defunct because they are now missing several key components
The Cowboys used to have a well-balanced offense but now they are struggling because their star running back Ezekiel Elliot is serving a six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence. The offense is out of sync and quarterback Dak Prescott has not been given enough time to find his receivers downfield or even avoid sacks when his pocket collapses.
Therefore, this is a game where the Cowboys defense needs to play better and get to Washington’s quarterback Kirk Cousins. If they don’t he’s going to throw the ball around and burn them like Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers did.
But Dallas is 0-5 without linebacker Sean Lee and he’s not going to be back for this game. Another key component is linebacker Justin Durant who is also out because didn’t clear concussion protocol, so things are looking bleak for the Cowboys.
Cousin is playing great and, even though the Redskins are missing tight end Jordan Reed, he has the opportunity to have a huge game and lead his team to victory.
This hobbled defense of the Cowboys is not very good and their secondary is even worse, so Cousins can end up making a big difference in this NFC East matchup.
On defense the Redskins have good corners and pass rushers, so if the Cowboys offensive line continues to struggle Dak Prescott will have another long day at the office.
The Redskins are usually an aggressive unit under Greg Manusky and if he can smell blood he’s going to apply pressure with the pass rush all day long.
The Redskins want to win this game to keep their hopes alive and make the playoffs, just like their 2012 and 2015 teams did after starting with an identical 5-6 mark.
If the Cowboys do lose this game their season is likely over. Since 1990 129 teams have started 5-7 and only six of them have made the playoffs.
