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2019 Redskins Game Preview: Redskins/Cowboys, Week 2

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Following a season-opening defeat in Philadelphia, the Washington Redskins will look to get back on track in their 2019 home opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Here's everything you need to know before the NFC East division rivals square off at FedExField at 1 p.m.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

All broadcast information for Sunday's game can be found, HERE.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Find out more about Sunday's contest by visiting, HERE.

TICKETING INFORMATION

You won't want to miss the Redskins' home opener! Be sure to purchase your tickets before it's too late.

Take a look at photos from Redskins practice on Wednesday September 11, 2019 before they take on the Dallas Cowboys.

ALL-TIME SERIES

  • Dallas leads the all-time series (71-45-2), though the Redskins won the previous two playoff games between the two teams.
  • The Cowboys have won five of the last six games dating back to 2016.
  • The teams split their regular season meetings last season, with both teams winning one-possession games at home. Washington won, 20-17, in Week 7, while Dallas returned the favor with a 31-23 victory in Week 12.

COACHING STAFF

Redskins:

  • HC Jay Gruden
  • OC Kevin O'Connell
  • DC Greg Manusky
  • STC Nate Kaczor

Cowboys:

  • HC Jason Garrett
  • OC Kellen Moore
  • DC Rod Marinelli
  • STC Keith O'Quinn

KEY NEW FACES

Redskins:

  • MLB Jon Bostic
  • OLB Montez Sweat
  • S Landon Collins
  • LG Ereck Flowers
  • LT Donald Penn
  • QB Dwayne Haskins
  • QB Case Keenum
  • WR Terry McLaurin

Cowboys:

  • WR Randall Cobb
  • TE Jason Witten
  • DE Robert Quinn
  • DT Trysten Hill
  • RB Tony Pollard

OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Redskins:

  • Kevin O'Connell was promoted to offensive coordinator in January after serving as the passing game coordinator in 2018.
  • After a summer-long quarterback battle between Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins and Colt McCoy, Keenum earned the start in Week 1, going 30-for-44 for 380 yards with three touchdowns.
  • The Redskins released linebackers Mason Foster and Zach Brown, the team's two leading tacklers from a year ago. Washington signed former Pittsburgh Steeler Jon Bostic, who recorded two tackles against Philadelphia, to fill in at the middle linebacker position.
  • With the release of Josh Doctson, rookie wideout Terry McLaurin expects to play a big role in the Redskins' offense, as showcased by his five-reception, 125-yard performance in the season opener.

Cowboys:

  • Much like O'Connell, the Cowboys promoted Kellen Moore from the quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.
  • All-Pro center Travis Frederick is back in the starting lineup after missing all of 2018.
  • Without the team for most of the preseason, All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott returned to Dallas after signing a six-year, 90 million extension a week ago. Elliott went for 53 yards on the ground with one score in the Cowboys' win over the Giants.

STORYLINES/THINGS TO WATCH

  • Important Divisional Matchup -- Despite it being just Week 2 of the regular season, this matchup between the Redskins and Cowboys is a pivotal one for NFC East positioning. Given that all four teams were involved in inter-divisional games last week, with Washington and New York falling to Philadelphia and Dallas, respectively, a loss in Sunday's contest would put the Redskins farther down in the standings and also hurt them from a tie-breaking standpoint.
  • Finding consistency -- After a dominating the first 30 minutes, which included Keenum throwing for 257 passing yards -- a personal best for a half -- and a defense that held a dangerous Eagles offense to just seven points, Washington headed to the locker room up 20-7. From that point on, though, Philadelphia flipped the script, forcing the Redskins into back-to-back-to-back three-and- outs while putting together two time-killing, methodical drives. Avoiding lulls like these on both sides of the ball will be crucial for Washington in Week 2.
  • Preventing the big play -- A big part of Philadelphia's comeback was two long scores -- 51 and 53 yards to be exact -- from former Redskin DeSean Jackson. Part of that was due to Jackson's pure speed, but some of it also stemmed from miscommunication within the Washington defense. "It was the relay from the inside to the outside," cornerback Josh Norman said post-game. "Just clean up those plays and we will be where we need to be."
  • Avoiding penalties along the O-Line -- A big part of Washington's problems on offense in 2018 were explained by penalties along the offensive line. During the second half of the team's opener, the same issue arose, as holding calls continually stalled Washington's attack throughout the second half. In all, the Redskins offensive line received eight flags that amounted to 55 yards. They'll look to clean up those mistakes up against Dallas in Week 2.

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

  • OC Kevin O'Connell vs. OC Kellen Moore -- It'll be interesting to see two of the game's youngest coordinators go head-to-head in this matchup. Both O'Connell and Moore are former NFL quarterbacks in their early 30s who many have garnered widespread praise around the league.
  • Redskins DL vs. Cowboys OL -- Dallas has boasted one of the better, if not the best, offensive lines in the NFL over the last few seasons. With perennial Pro Bowlers Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and the aforementioned Frederick standing in the way of the backfield, we'll see how much pressure Washington's defensive line can exert.
  • Redskins Defense vs. RB Ezekiel Elliott -- It's going to take a total effort from the burgundy and gold defense to stop who is considered one of the league's best running backs in Elliott. Last year, the Redskins did a good job bottling up the fourth-year pro in their first meeting, as Elliott gained just 33 yards on 15 carries. However, later in the year, Elliott compiled 121 yards on 26 rushing attempts in addition to 22 yards through the air. Washington's ability to stop the All-Pro could very well determine the outcome of Sunday's game.
  • WR Terry McLaurin vs. Dallas' secondary -- Having started off his NFL career on a positive note, highlighted by a 69-yard touchdown reception from Case Keenum, McLaurin expects to be more on opposing teams' radars moving forward. Can the rookie speedster continue to fly past defensive backs? Or will the Cowboys' defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli be able to limit the Ohio State product -- perhaps by lining second-team All-Pro corner Byron Jones across from him -- in his second-ever regular season game?

INJURY REPORT

The injury report for Week 2 between the Redskins and the Cowboys can be found, HERE.

PROJECTED WEATHER

REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS

Redskins:

  • Passing -- QB Case Keenum (380 yards)
  • Rushing -- RB Derrius Guice (18 yards)
  • Receiving -- WR Terry McLaurin (125 yards)
  • Touchdowns -- QB Case Keenum (3)
  • Tackles -- CB Quinton Dunbar (9, 8 solo)
  • Sacks -- LB Cassanova McKinzy (1)
  • Interceptions -- N/A

Cowboys:

  • Passing -- QB Dak Prescott (405 yards)
  • Rushing -- RB Ezekiel Elliott (53 yards)
  • Receiving -- Michael Gallup (158 yards)
  • Touchdowns -- QB Dak Prescott (4)
  • Tackles -- S Xavier Woods (11, 9 solo)
  • Sacks -- Leighton Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence (0.5)
  • Interceptions -- N/A

REGULAR SEASON TEAM STATS

Redskins:

  • Total offense -- 13th (398.0 YPG)
  • Scoring offense -- T-13th (27.0 PPG)
  • Passing offense -- 5th (370.0 YPG)
  • Sacks allowed -- T-4th (1)
  • Running offense -- 31st (28.0 YPG)
  • Third down offense -- T-21st (38%)
  • Red zone offense -- 50%
  • Total defense -- 25th (436.0 YPG)
  • Scoring defense -- 27th (32.0 PPG)
  • Passing defense -- 22nd (313.0 YPG)
  • Sacks -- T-18th (1)
  • Running defense -- T-21st (123.0 YPG)
  • Third down defense -- 31st (65.0%)
  • Red zone defense -- 66.6%
  • Time of possession -- 30th (25:33)
  • Turnover differential -- T-14th (0)

Cowboys:

  • Total offense -- 3rd (494.0 YPG)
  • Scoring offense -- 4th (35.0 PPG)
  • Passing offense -- 1st (405.0 YPG)
  • Sacks allowed -- T-1st (0)
  • Running offense -- 22nd (89.0 YPG)
  • Third down offense -- 6th (60.0%)
  • Red zone offense -- 100%
  • Total defense -- 27th (470.0 YPG)
  • Scoring defense -- T-9th (17.0 PPG)
  • Passing defense -- 23rd (319.0 YPG)
  • Sacks -- T-18th (1)
  • Running defense -- 27th (151.0 YPG)
  • Third down defense -- 3rd (18.0%)
  • Red zone defense -- 50%
  • Time of possession -- 9th (32:18)
  • Turnover differential -- T-5th (+2)

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