On Thanksgiving, the (5-5) Dallas Cowboys will welcome the (4-6) Washington Redskins to Dallas for Robert Griffin III’s first taste of the Cowboys / Redskins rivalry.
The Thanksgiving Day rivalry game could have huge implications on the NFC East playoff race. First, the Cowboys are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season and are within 1 game of the first place Giants. A win for Dallas would pull them to a half game behind the Giants, who play the Packers Sunday. If the Cowboys win, and the Giants lose to the Packers, the Cowboys would find themselves in sole possession of 1st place in the NFC East. On the other hand, a Washington win against the Cowboys would keep the Redskins’ season alive. A Redskins win and a Giants’ loss, means the Skins are 1 game back and alive in the NFC East race.
The main dish for Thursday afternoon’s game will be RGIII versus the Cowboys’ defense. Robert Griffin III has electrified the NFL with his ability to run and throw. In his first year as the ‘Skins signal caller, RGIII has compiled 2,193 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Griffin III has carried the rock 93 times for 613 yards and 6 touchdowns. With only 3 INTs on the year, he is also 5th in the NFL in passer efficiency and on pace for over 3,500 yards passing and nearly 1,000 yards rushing.
Stopping Robert Griffin III will be a tough task for Rob Ryan and the Cowboys’ defense. However, this season, against dual threat Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton, the Cowboys defense rose to the occasion. They were able to contain Newton, sacking him twice and forcing him to throw an interception and lose a fumble. The Cowboys were able to win the game 19-14.
On the offensive side of the ball, despite the uncertainty of their injury plagued offensive line, look for the Cowboys to attack the Redskins through the air. The Skins are allowing 289 passing yards per game, which is second worst in the NFL. In addition, the Cowboys running game has been nearly non-existence since DeMarco Murray was sidelined with a foot injury 5 weeks ago. As of this Monday, both injured starting left tackle Tyron Smith and Murray were on the practice field in Valley Ranch; however, it is uncertain just how much they practiced and if they will play Thursday. According to ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins, Cowboys’ executive VP Stephen Jones said he thinks it is “a long shot for either one of them to play.”
Regardless of who plays and who doesn’t, Thursday afternoon’s rivalry figures to be a great matchup between two teams fighting for their playoff lives. It will also be the first of many RGIII versus Cowboys games as Washington’s quarterback has injected new interest in the NFC East. If the Cowboys can contain RGIII, they will finish (3-1) in the month of November. Or ROMOVEMBER, as the Ben & Skin Show of ESPN Dallas’ have taken to calling the eleventh month of the year. Tony Romo will be looking to improve his career November record to a whopping 22-3. If he does, Dallas will have once again put themselves in a position to win the NFC East.
