Will Romo's Mojo Extend to Redskins Game?

Nov 3, 2006, 17:45 GMT

- Last Sunday, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo raised expectations with a fine performance in a road upset of the Carolina Panthers. If Romo can duplicate his efforts this week, when Dallas travels to meet the arch rival Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, he might want to consider a run for office.

In his first NFL start, Romo completed 24-of-36 passes for 270 yards with a touchdown and an interception, also displaying the type of mobility that the deposed Drew Bledsoe severely lacked. Those Cowboys fans that have witnessed the team trot out nine starting signal-callers since Troy Aikman retired in 2001 are not about to anoint the fourth-year career backup as their team's savior, but more crisp performances - and more wins - could have No. 9 jerseys flying off the racks in and around Dallas. America's Team enters Week 9 one game back of the first-place Giants (5-2) in the NFC East, and a second straight win would label Bill Parcells and company as a vital member of the playoff race as the second half begins.

The Redskins, meanwhile, are in free fall. Just one year after making a triumphant return to the postseason, Washington has sunk like an anchor into last place in the NFC East, with its current three-game losing streak giving rise to speculation that a quarterback change could be imminent. A loss to the Cowboys at home would turn the heat up on head coach Joe Gibbs as he mulls the proper time to sit down 36-year-old Mark Brunell and/or introduce 2005 first- round draft choice Jason Campbell. Brunell remains at No. 1 on the depth chart for this week, while Campbell continues to reside at No. 3 behind Brunell and veteran backup Todd Collins.

SERIES HISTORY

The Cowboys lead the all-time series with Washington, 55-34-2, including a 27-10 home win over the Redskins in Week 2. Dallas was swept in last year's home-and-home against Washington, dropping a 14-13 home decision in Week 2 and a 35-7 setback at FedEx Field in Week 15. Prior to 2005, Dallas had won 14 of the last 15 games in the series, including home-and-home sweeps in both 2003 and 2004.

Washington is 2-0 against Dallas in the postseason, winning in the 1972 and 1982 NFC Championship games.

Gibbs and Parcells have an extensive history together, with Parcells holding a 14-8 edge in the head-to-head series, including a win in the 1986 NFC Championship Game. Parcells had won the last eight in a row against Gibbs prior to last year's sweep, as his Giants had swept the Redskins in the 1988, 1989, and 1990 seasons prior to the Cowboys' sweep against Washington in 2004. Gibbs is now 14-15 against the Cowboys, including a win in the 1982 NFC Championship, during his career. Parcells, meanwhile, is 16-10 all-time versus the Redskins, including an 11-6 mark with the Giants, 0-1 with both the Jets and Patriots, and 5-2 since taking over the Cowboys.

COWBOYS OFFENSE VS. REDSKINS DEFENSE

Romo's performance has been doubly encouraging due to the subsequent emergence of wide receiver Terrell Owens (37 receptions, 5 TD), who had been invisible at times with Bledsoe running the show. Owens logged season-highs with nine catches for 107 yards last Sunday, and now has 20 receptions, 250 yards, and four touchdowns in his past three games combined. The controversial wideout had just three catches for 19 yards against the Redskins in Week 2, and has never posted a 100-yard game in seven career contests against Washington. Tight end Jason Witten (26 receptions, 1 TD) also comes off his best game of the year, a six-catch, 80-yard, one-touchdown effort. No. 2 wideout Terry Glenn (33 receptions, 3 TD) has at least four catches in every game this season, and will look to duplicate his season-best 94-yard day against the Skins in Week 2. As ever, a major issue for the Cowboys will be keeping the pressure off of Romo, as the line has allowed 20 sacks (including four of Romo) thus far in 2006.

Romo should have plenty of time to throw against a Redskins defense that ranks dead last in the league in sacks (10), and should also make plenty of headway against a secondary that has just two interceptions to its credit this season. Top pass rushers Phillip Daniels (2 sacks) and Andre Carter (2 sacks) have been basically non-existent this year, and will try to turn around their years by taking their licks on Romo. In the secondary, cornerbacks Carlos Rogers (37 tackles) and Shawn Springs (9 tackles) are slated to start together for the first time all year. Rogers (broken thumb) and Springs (abdominal injury) have both been bothered by injuries this season. Elsewhere in the secondary, safeties Adam Archuleta (49 tackles) and Sean Taylor (47 tackles) are 1-2 on the team in stops.

Lost amid the hubbub over Romo's performance in Carolina was the work of Dallas running backs Julius Jones (616 rushing yards, 3 TD) and Marion Barber III (264 rushing yards, 6 TD), who kept the heat off of the quarterback by combining for 141 yards on 33 carries with three touchdowns. Jones led the charge, carrying 24 times for 92 yards and a score. Barber scored two touchdowns, the fifth time in six games he has reached the end zone. The Cowboys now have 12 rushing touchdowns, tied for the most in the league, and are fifth in NFL rushing offense (140.6 yards per game).

The Redskins have been slightly better against the run than the pass this year, ranking 15th in NFL rushing defense (110.7 yards per game), but have been far short of dominating in that area. Linebackers Marcus Washington (46 tackles) and Lemar Marshall (43 tackles, 1.5 sacks) have been the team's surest tacklers, and have helped make up for the inconsistent work of the defensive line. Washington had 11 tackles, all of the solo variety, against Indianapolis. Tackle Cornelius Griffin (15 tackles) has been Washington's best run-stopper on the interior line.

REDSKINS OFFENSE VS. COWBOYS DEFENSE

Brunell (1465 passing yards, 7 TD, 3 INT) hasn't necessarily been terrible during the Redskins' 2-5 start, as evidenced by a solid 90.4 passer rating, but the fact that Brunell is 36 and in decline, and that the team is unlikely to recover in time to make the playoffs, has prompted some to push for Campbell to play. His chance is unlikely to come this week, meaning Brunell will have an opportunity to improve upon the season-low 61.6 passer rating he posted against Dallas in Week 2. Top wideout Santana Moss (28 receptions, 3 TD), who has had a quiet year apart from a brilliant performance against Jacksonville, is considered questionable for this week with a hamstring injury. If he can't go, James Thrash (4 receptions, 1 TD) would probably join Brandon Lloyd (11 receptions) and Antwaan Randle El (18 receptions, 1 TD) in the team's three-receiver alignment, with tight end Chris Cooley (21 receptions, 2 TD) likely to play a more prominent role as well. Thrash and Cooley both caught touchdown passes in the Redskins' Week 7 loss to Indianapolis.

The Cowboys made some adjustments to a beleaguered secondary last week, replacing rookie free safety Pat Watkins (22 tackles) with a platoon of veteran defensive back Aaron Glenn (8 tackles, 1 INT) and former starter Keith Davis (8 tackles), and also sprinkling in ex-Jet and Texan Marcus Coleman. The shift seemed to have the desired effect, as Panthers wideout Steve Smith was limited to six catches for 55 yards and ex-Cowboy Keyshawn Johnson made just one reception all night. Cornerback Anthony Henry (41 tackles, 1 INT) was the most active member of the secondary, logging a team-high eight tackles, while strong safety Roy Williams (26 tackles) came up with his team-leading third interception of the season. The Dallas pass rush also managed three sacks on the night, two of which went to outside linebacker Greg Ellis (25 tackles, 4.5 sacks).

In order for the Redskins to win on Sunday, a significant contribution from running back Clinton Portis (414 rushing yards, 6 TD, 15 receptions) will likely be necessary. The bruised and battered Portis has yet to get it together this season, rushing for 100 yards just once and seemingly disappearing from the game plan for large stretches. Portis did not play against Dallas in Week 2 because of a shoulder injury. Ladell Betts (275 rushing yards, 1 TD, 23 receptions) and T.J. Duckett (24 receptions) would receive the carries if Portis (ankle), who is listed as probable, has a setback. Betts had 93 yards on 15 total touches against Indy in Week 7.

After watching their run-stopping reputation take a major hit in a loss to the Giants on Oct. 23rd, the Cowboys responded last week by limiting the Panthers' DeShaun Foster to 50 hard-earned yards on 15 carries for the night. Inside linebackers Bradie James and Akin Ayodele were active in the win, combining for nine tackles, while Marcus Spears and Chris Canty notched a couple of stops each from their end slots. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson (17 tackles), who was credited with one tackle in the Carolina game, is at the forefront of a run defense that now ranks fourth in the NFL (80.9 yards per game).

OVERALL ANALYSIS

For a second straight week, Romo has an extraordinarily difficult assignment. The Redskins are a desperate football team looking to pacify an increasingly embittered fan base with a home victory over a rival, and Washington figures to pull out all the stops in an effort to emerge with a win. That focus will likely keep the game close, though Dallas, with a superior base of talent, should still come away with a win. The Redskins simply don't have enough play- makers on either side of the football to beat a good football team at this stage, and thus the rage will continue for the loyal throng of patrons at FedEx Field.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 23, Redskins 22

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