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Week 4 Game Recap: Washington Redskins 26, Dallas Cowboys 24
What you need to know
| Washington Redskins |
QB Jason Campbell looked much improved. Campbell showed poise and a very strong command of his offense. He had a good stat line that could have been even better if had not been for some penalties that nullified a passing touchdown.
Clinton Portis had a solid day on the ground and helped the Redskins dominate the Cowboys front for most of the game. The Washington offense line did a great job of allowing Portis to find some holes and allow him to run downhill.
Santana Moss was a thorn in the Dallas secondary all game long. Moss was able to catch a lot of balls in front of defenders and make solid yards after the catch. His speed allowed him to abuse corners Anthony Henry and Terrence Newman.
| Dallas Cowboys |
Tony Romo had a great fantasy stat line, however he did not play especially well. He threw for exactly 300 yards and three scores on the day. Many of his throws were a tiny bit late. Romo seemed to lock into his receivers all day. In the first half, he was guilty of forcing balls to Terrell Owens despite blanket coverage from the Washington corners. On his lone interception of the day, he failed to see the underneath coverage by Chris Horton.
Where is the Dallas running game? Marion Barber was held in check the entire day and rookie Felix Jones had no carries. The Redskins effectively made the Cowboys a one dimensional offense by the half. Barber was only given the ball eight times for 36 yards. This was an odd game plan from offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Terrell Owens was basically shut out in the first half with only a couple of short gains. After the half time break they were able to find some ways to get Owens more involved. In that opening drive, Owens scored a determined touchdown where he fought through two defenders to score.
What you ought to know
| QB Jason Campbell, Pass: 20 - 31 - 231 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 3 - 0 |
Campbell certainly looked sharp right out of the gate completing four out of his first five passes. The game plan was clear, Campbell was completing short passes on slants, screens and outs. This really seemed to help him with his confidence and touch on the ball. Throughout the game he hung in the pocket and ran for positive yards when needed. On one particular play, Campbell was able to avoid stud pass rusher Demarcus Ware by stepping up into the pocket to hit a wide open Santana Moss. Campbell went for 231 yards passing and threw for two scores. Of note, an illegal man down field penalty nullified another would be Campbell score.
| RB Clinton Portis, Rush: 21 - 121 - 0, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (3 targets) |
Portis really did his part in the overall game plan by consistently gaining positive yards and keeping the Dallas defense honest early. As the game wore on, Portis got more effective and ran down hill. He was the beneficiary of some good blocking. Chris Cooley did a great job of taking out the defensive end on a third and short. The play went for big yards. In the second half Portis ran with an attitude and picked up big chunks with almost every touch. The Washington offensive line should also get some credit for his success and the lopsided time of possession the Redskins enjoyed. Portis had a touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
| RB Ladell Betts, Rush: 11 - 32 - 0 (1 targets) |
Betts was primarily used on the ground and spelled starter Clinton Portis when needed. He did see one series were he got back to back carries in the red zone but could not score. Betts was not a large feature in the passing game either. His presence does not negatively impact the Washington offense. He ran hard
| RB Mike Sellers |
Sellers left the game with an injury.
| WR Santana Moss, Rec: 8 - 145 - 0 (13 targets) |
Moss was dominant yet again. He went for an impressive 121 yards but he had his touchdown streak ended. He came close late in the game to scoring a TD but could not get his feet in bounds on a fade route. His early game success came from the shorter routes and his ability to run after the catch. Later in the game where the Cowboys defenders were jumping routes, he burnt a Dallas defender on a double move for a big gain deep into Cowboys territory. Moss was certainly the focal point of the passing game with him being targeted 13 times.
| WR Antwaan Randle El, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 4 - 36 - 1 (5 targets) |
Randle El was able to find some soft spots in the Dallas zone coverage and made all of his catches close to the line of scrimmage. He was also utilized in the running game as he took an end around for a short gain as well. His longest play of the game went for 17 yards on a blitz, he displayed very nice after the catch skills. Randle El was able to find the end zone after Campbell went through his progressions. It was a solid day for the veteran receiver.
| WR James Thrash, Rec: 2 - 8 - 1 (2 targets) |
Thrash was able to score in the red zone on a play where he actually beat his defender while in motion on a double move. Dallas cornerback Terrence Newman who had a nightmare day fell down and Thrash went in for an easy score.
| WR Devin Thomas |
The rookie played in multiple receiver sets, however was not targeted during the game.
| TE Chris Cooley, Rec: 4 - 28 - 0 (7 targets) |
Cooley was used sparingly in the passing game as he was kept in to block and help defend the Dallas pass rush. It was not until about half way through the second quarter before he made his first catch. His stat line was rather modest as Cooley was used primarily on third downs and to keep the chains moving. His blocking helped free Portis for a big game.
| PK Shaun Suisham 4 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 14 points |
Kicker Shaun Suisham had a very good game and was a perfect four for four of his field goal attempts. He also successfully converted both his extra point attempts.
| WAS Rush Defense |
This group did a fantastic job of really limiting Marion Barber on first downs. By shutting out the Cowboys run game they become very one dimensional and played right into the Washington game plan. It was apparent that the Cowboys had abandoned their run game late in the second quarter. In a shocking turn, the Cowboys only ran the ball ten times the entire game and two of those were carries by Terrell Owens.
| WAS Pass Defense |
It was apparent the game plan was to take the run away and limit both Owens and Witten. The Washington coaching staff did a great job of mixing up coverage. At times Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten was being bracketed on both sides. In general the secondary did a good job of keeping the play in front of them and didn't give up any long plays. The turning point of the game came on the very next play that corner Fred Smoot was knocked out of the game because of an injury. Rookie Chris Horton deftly ran underneath the zone coverage and made a huge interception.
| QB Tony Romo, Pass: 28 - 47 - 300 - 3 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0 |
Romo was not afforded the normal time that he has enjoyed in previous weeks. Both he and the entire Dallas offense got off to a slower start as they adjusted to what Washington was doing. It certainly appeared that Romo was forcing the ball to Terrell Owens during the first half. Romo started to show some life late in the second quarter when he kept a drive alive by scrambling for a first down on key third down. Romo certainly showed flashes of greatness with his excellent pocket presence and he often stepped up in the pocket to avoid sacks and make plays down the field. The line on Romo was three scores and 300 yards passing. He was able to split his receptions and TDs to his various weapons. However, Romo will have nightmares about his terrible interception to Horton, as it was a real game changer.
| RB Marion Barber III, Rush: 8 - 26 - 0, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (2 targets) |
Barber's first run of the day was his best. He absolutely ran over a Washington defender and showed great power and determination. However, after that the Redskins had all the answers and really limited Barber and his overall effectiveness. Barber was often stuffed for no gain or only very short gains.
| RB Felix Jones |
His highlight of the day was being used as a decoy through motioning to draw coverage away from Witten on his touchdown catch.
| WR Terrell Owens, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0, Rec: 7 - 71 - 1 (18 targets) |
This was a very uneven performance for the mercurial Owens. His route running was sloppy and he seemed very tentative on his crossing routes like he was afraid to run into his own man coming across the middle. Owens also had a couple of drops. This may have been a factor in the lack of chemistry Owens and quarterback Tony Romo had this game. The Washington secondary and especially Shawn Springs deserves a lot of credit of limiting him on the day. In the second half the Cowboys had the ball to start the half and they quickly drove the field with a couple of Owens catches. This led to a great ten yard touchdown catch as Owens dragged to two defenders into the end zone.
| WR Patrick Crayton, Rec: 7 - 87 - 0 (10 targets) |
This was the most productive game for Crayton so far this year. He made several nice catches mostly of the short variety. He was used as a possession type receiver and helped keep a few of the drives going. It appeared that Washington was alright with him catching the short balls. In fact, Crayton was open the entire last drive of the half and helped set up a Nick Folk field goal.
| WR Miles Austin, Rec: 3 - 45 - 1 (6 targets) |
As teams continue to double both Witten and Owens the Cowboys are forced to give their third receiver some targets. Austin continues to run nice routes and has improved his catching abilities. Late in the fourth quarter Austin scored against the Washington prevent defense when the game was virtually over.
| TE Jason Witten, Rec: 7 - 90 - 1 (10 targets) |
Another solid game for Witten as he was often used in various formations to create mismatches for the pro bowl tight end. He was lined up in the slot and in the backfield quite frequently. Early in the game he scored on an easy pitch and catch with Tony Romo when he easily blew past Marcus Washington. Witten showed his trademark toughness after the catch and great hands on his seven grabs for 90 yards. In the third quarter, Witten was briefly shaken up after taking a hit. He later returned to the game and appeared to be fine.
| TE Tony Curtis, Rec: 1 - -4 - 0 (1 targets) |
Curtis caught a ball that he ultimately fumbled out of bounds for a loss on the play. He was absolutely drilled by linebacker London Fletcher causing the fumble.
| TE Martellus Bennett, Rec: 1 - 0 - 0 (1 targets) |
The rookie second round draft pick caught one ball on a scramble for a tiny gain. He was not a factor in the game.
| PK Nick Folk 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points |
The second year kicker remains perfect on the year and converted his only field goal attempt as well as all three extra points.
| DAL Rush Defense |
The Washington team dictated a perfect mix of run and high percentage passing. The Cowboys defense was gassed in the fourth quarter and could not come up with any key stops. Portis and company won the time of possession stat at over 38 minutes for the game.
| DAL Pass Defense |
The Cowboys were able to get some early pressure on Jason Campbell by sacking him twice in the first quarter. However, as the game went on Washington picked apart the Dallas zones. The Washington offensive line was able to give Campbell enough time to find the open man on a regular basis. Many of the passes were of the quick three step variety and Dallas had no answers all day.
