NFC Game Of The Week
Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys
Washington: After a nice winning streak, they’ve cooled down and were losers in their last two games. Just a few weeks ago, they were amongst one of the seven teams in the NFC playoff picture. Now, they sit on the outside looking in. Here’s the thing. They haven’t quite been eliminated just yet. Let’s say they were to win out, they’re a playoff team. Just as many teams are, the Washington Football Team is dealing with a COVID outbreak and they’ve been struck at the most important position, quarterback. In their Tuesday night game against the Eagles, they decided to start Garrett Gilbert and I liked that decision because he has experience playing for Ron Rivera. During the winning streak, the Football Team beat teams with a consistent ground attack. I even remember saying on the “NerdZone” that in order for this offense had to travel through Antonio Gibson in order for them to have a chance at winning games. In the last two contests, Antonio has been shut down. The one thing that’s impressed me about them has been the way Ron has kept his defense focused without Chase Young. Others have stepped it up since his unfortunate knee injury. With three games remaining, their postseason chances are skating on thin ice. Sunday night, they’ll face the leaders of the division.
Cowboys: The month of December so far has been better to them than the entire month of November was after they dropped three of four games. They have been in complete control of this division basically all season and are closing in on their first division title since 2018. I’m a bit concerned about them because one side of the football is showing me more promise than the other. The Cowboys’ defense has been stronger as of late over their offense. Even with Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, and Amari Cooper back, the Dallas offense just hasn’t appeared to gel as of late. They still don’t attempt to run the football and to this day, it still bothers me. Just a few weeks ago, they were up by two scores in a game and still had Dak Prescott dropping back to throw the ball instead of handing the ball off to milk some time off the clock. Look back when the Cowboys had a winning streak going. They had just the right amount of balance on display. They were running the ball just enough and Dak wasn’t throwing the ball too many times. Look at some of the other offenses in the NFC. Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and the Rams to name a few. Dallas won’t beat either of those teams if they aren’t on it offensively. They return home on Sunday for a divisional tilt.
Washington X-Factor: Montez Sweat– You all have always seen me talk about players who never seem to let up. This is one of them. Against the run, he’s a beast and when it comes to rushing the passer, Montez gets there as pure as it gets. Even when he appears to be blocked, he’s always moving. The effort never stops and he will keep going until the play is over.
Cowboys X-Factor: Randy Gregory– I always knew the talent was there. What was concerning were the issues that would keep him off the field. This year, he’s been one of the vital pieces of a Cowboys defense that have regrouped tremendously compared to their 2020 season. When DeMarcus Lawrence was sidelined with his foot injury, Randy stepped it up and became the anchor of this defensive line.
Final Thoughts: They just played each other back in week 14. The Cowboys were dominating in that game for the most part until the 4th quarter when Washington made a comeback to make the game interesting. I had a caller on Monday Evening Quarterback who is a Cowboys fan and he said Washington will be motivated to play them. I agreed with him. They feel they can make this a game. I think this is the game the Cowboys’ offense gets back on track. Washington can be hit or miss on defense. Taylor Heinicke is expected to be back for the Football Team after missing week 15. A win for Washington would be huge. Can the Cowboys keep their streak going?
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Washington 19
