Redskins May Be Catching Cowboys at Right Time

The Washington Redskins are looking for something that is going to boost their fortunes as they try to make some noise in the NFC East. On Sunday they will make a visit to AT&T Stadium in Arlington,TX as they meet up with the Dallas Cowboys in a divisional game that is set to begin at 8:30 PM ET on NBC.

The Redskins are 1-3 and are coming off a bye week that followed their first win of the season, a 24-14 decision at Oakland. Dallas is coming off that draining 51-48 defeat at the hands of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. They are 2-3 and tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead.

This is their second division game of the season. They have already lost to three members of the AFC West – Kansas City, San Diego and Denver. For the Redskins, the most tension these days is not created by the relationship between Robert Griffin III and coach Mike Shanahan, but with groups of Native Americans who have protested their nickname, and have gained a lot of support. It’s somewhat distracting for the organization, since owner Dan Snyder is resolute that he will NEVER change the team’s name.

In the NFL betting odds that have been posted on this game at BetOnline, the Cowboys are laying some points:

Dallas Cowboys -5
Washington Redskins +5

And here are the NFL totals that are posted:

Over 52.5 Points -110
Under 52.5 Points -110

Maybe having a bye week will help Robert Griffin III in the healing process. His passing numbers are not horrible at all – in fact, he has completed 62% with seven yards an attempt. But he has already been intercepted four times, and with one more pick he will match his 2012 total.

Griffin insists that thebye week was the best thing that could have happened, as he cleared his head, spent some time with family, and just “relaxed.” He says with a different mindset now, his team could be ready to make a move in a division where it trails the leaders by only a half a game.

It is imperative that part of this plan includes Alfred Morris, last year’s superb rookie, who is getting a lot of mileage out of his carries, logging 5.3 yards per attempt. He’ll have to take pressure off Griffin, who has severely cut back on his running (only 72 yards in five games). He did that last year, with 313 yards in the two meetings. But he’s also dealing with sore ribs.

On defense, the Redskins (the +210 money line underdog at BetOnline) are still found wanting. They have permitted 4.7 yards per rush, 9.2 yards a pass, and 440 yards a game. That might make things a little more wide open for Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo, who set a franchise record with 506 yards through the air last week and brought his team back time and again until throwing that interception near the end that allowed Denver to move for the winning field goal in a 51-48 classic. Still, Romo is very dangerous, with a sizzling 72% completion rate, and a nice ratio of 13 TD’s to two interceptions. Terrence Williams has emerged as a downfield threat (16 catches, 282 yards).

On the technical side, the Redskins have not only covered the last six meetings with the Cowboys, they have also covered on the last six trips they have made to the Metroplex. And Dallas is rarely any good when they are a home favorite in NFL betting, covering in just five of the last 22 tries. With some residue still remaining form the tremendous disappointment from last week, this may be a good spot for the ‘Skins as they look to make this a three-horse race in the East.