Washington Redskins [3-6] at Dallas Cowboys [6-3]

Byline: David Elfin, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Redskins STARTERS Offense WR 89 Santana Moss LT 76 Levi Jones LG 66 Derrick Dockery * 61 Casey Rabach RG 75 Chad Rinehart RT 74 Stephon Heyer TE 86 Fred Davis WR 11 Devin Thomas QB 17 Jason Campbell RB 46 Ladell Betts FB 45 Mike Sellers Defense DE 93 Phillip Daniels DT 96 Cornelius Griffin DT 92 Albert Haynesworth DE 99 Andre Carter OLB 52 Rocky McIntosh MLB 59 London Fletcher OLB 98 Brian Orakpo CB 22 Carlos Rogers CB 23 DeAngelo Hall SS 37 Reed Doughty FS 30 LaRon Landry Specialists K 6 Shaun Suisham P 3 Hunter Smith PR 82 Antwaan Randle El KR 31 Rock Cartwright Injuries Out: TE Chris Cooley (ankle), RB Clinton Portis (concussion), TE Eddie Williams (ankle) Questionable: DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle), T Stephon Heyer (knee), T Mike Williams ?(ankle) Probable: RB Ladell Betts (ankle) Cowboys STARTERS Offense WR 11 Roy Williams OT 76 Flozell Adams G 63 Kyle Kosier * 65 Andre Gurode RG 70 Leonard Davis RT 68 Doug Free TE 82 Jason Witten WR 19 Miles Austin QB 9 Tony Romo RB 24 Marion Barber FB 34 Deon Anderson Defense LE 96 Marcus Spears NT 90 Jay Ratliff RE 99 Igor Olshansky OLB 92 Anthony Spencer MLB 56 Bradie James MLB 51 Keith Brooking OLB 94 DeMarcus Ware CB 41 Terence Newman CB 21 Mike Jenkins SS 43 Gerald Sensabaugh FS 20 Alan Ball Specialists K 6 Nick Folk P 1 Mat McBriar PR 84 Patrick Crayton KR 28 Felix Jones Injuries Out: T Marc Colombo (ankle), S Ken Hamlin (ankle), CB Allen Rossum(hamstring). Probable: RB Marion Barber (thumb), K David Buehler (right toe), CB Mike Jenkins (elbow), S Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb), LB DeMarcus Ware(foot). KEY MATCHUP Redskins LT Levi Jones vs. Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware He was overshadowed by the gutty performance by super-sub running back Ladell Betts and the flashy fake field goal touchdown pass from Hunter Smith to Mike Sellers, but Jones was one of the heroes of lastweek's 27-17 upset of the Denver Broncos. In his first start for Washington and his most extensive action ina year, the 30-year-old former Cincinnati Bengals starter was critical to the line not allowing a sack during the first half and keeping NFL sacks leader Elvis Dumervil off quarterback Jason Campbell until an inconsequential sack with 8:57 left. Jones faces an even bigger test in Ware, who had a Cowboys-record 20 sacks in 2008 and has 60.5 in his 73 career starts, including seven in nine games this year. Ware had a sack, three hurries and a tackle for loss when Dallas beat Cincinnati in October 2008. Jones was playing with an injured hamstring that ended his season in November and required offseason surgery. If Jones can mostly handle Ware one-on-one, not only will Campbellhave more time to throw, but the backs and tight ends also can focuson running routes, not blocking. THREE KEYS Pressure Romo Green Bay blitzed Tony Romo like crazy last week, sacking him fivetimes and forcing him to cough up two turnovers in a 17-7 Packers upset. The Redskins' pass rush already has matched last season's 24 sacks. Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, who have 15 sacks between them, need to disrupt Romo's rhythm early and often. Limit the big plays Washington's fifth-ranked defense was burned for seven big plays the past three games by Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, Atlanta's Michael Turner and Denver's Brandon Marshall. The Redskins need to put a stop to this ugly trend because Dallas has probably the league's deepest big-play arsenal, led by Miles Austin. The first quarter The Redskins have played catch-up almost every week, having been outscored 59-17 in the first quarter. The Cowboys have outscored theirfoes 37-20 in the first quarter and will aim to start hot after lastweek's poor performance at Green Bay. The visitors will be in big trouble if they have to overcome a sizable deficit. THE EDGE WHEN THE Redskins HAVE THE BALL Last week, Washington finally rediscovered the power running game that had been AWOL for a year, grinding out 174 yards on 40 carries in a 27-17 upset of AFC West leader Denver. For the short term at least, the Redskins' offense appears better with Ladell Betts filling in for injured longtime No. 1 back Clinton Portis. The rushing attack and much improved pass protection - with Levi Jones making his first start at left tackle - gave Jason Campbell time to spread the ball to nine receivers. While the Broncos came in with the third-ranked defense, the Cowboys are proven on that side of the ball with such elite performers as nose tackle Jay Ratliff, outside linebacker DeMarcus Wareand cornerback Terence Newman. Dallas has forced only 11 turnovers and has allowed a decent amount of yardage, if not many points. Edge: Cowboys WHEN THE Cowboys HAVE THE BALL Tony Romo has had a top-10 passer rating each of his three years as Dallas' starter, but he's just 2-3 against Washington in part because of the kind of key mistakes he's become infamous for in big games.But despite the departure of Terrell Owens, Romo has never had so many weapons: Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Roy Williams, Marion Barber, Patrick Crayton and Tashard Choice all have made plays of at least 35 yards. Giving up big plays has been a big problem for the Redskins oflate, and they've struggled to stop the run, an area in which Dallasexcels. However, Washington's top-ranked pass defense has produced 20 sacks the last six games and faces a Dallas line that allowed five sacks last week and has lost right tackle Marc Colombo for the year. The Redskins have forced only 10 turnovers. Edge: Cowboys SPECIAL TEAMS Washington's coverage units, led by H.B. Blades, Mike Sellers, Reed Doughty and Kareem Moore, are the NFC's best, but they'll be testedby Jones and Crayton, who has two punt-return scores. Dallas' coverage teams are good, while Washington kickoff return man Rock Cartwright is average and punt return regular Antwaan Randle El is awful and is now sharing the duty with Santana Moss and DeAngelo Hall. The Cowboys' Mat McBriar is one of the league's top punters. The Redskins' Hunter Smith has missed three games with a groin injury but has run and thrown for touchdowns on fake field goals. Washington kicker Shaun Suisham is 12-for-12 on field goal attempts (4-for-4 from 40 yards and beyond). Dallas' Nick Folk is 14-for-18 (4-for-8 from 40-plus). Edge: Cowboys