Cowboys Finish 2015 NFL Season With Rival Redskins
By Shawn S. Lealos
The final game of the 2015 NFL season for the Dallas Cowboys is against their NFC East rival, the Washington Redskins. These teams have shared a hatred since Dallas entered the league in 1960 and it has never let up. In what looked like it could be a game for the NFC East title, the Redskins clinched the title last week. Here is a look at the Redskins heading into the Cowboys' final game of the season.
Season Record
This season, the NFC East was considered the worst division in the NFL and some thought that the division winner could actually have a losing record. That won't happen, as the Washington Redskins won the NFC East title with their eighth win. If they beat the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, they will finish with a 9-7 record, while a Cowboys win could cost them one or more spots in the 2016 NFL Draft, since losing will help them more than a win. However, the Redskins have nothing to play for, and could rest their stars.
Washington Redskins on Offense
The questions on both side of the ball for the Redskins is whether or not they will rest their starters. Here is the situation: The Redskins have clinched the NFC East and nothing they do in this final game of the regular season can help or hurt their placement in the playoffs. There is one other thing to keep in mind: If the Redskins lose, they hurt the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to the 2016 NFL Draft. Would they rest their stars to avoid injuries if it also means hurting their most hated rivals?
According to head coach Jay Gruden, Washington wants to beat Dallas, but will have to be careful about injuries. Gruden said that starter Kirk Cousins' playing status will depend on the health of players around him. Before the season started, no one really thought that the health of Cousins would matter one way or the other, but he has surprised people. He has a 99.2 quarterback rating with 26 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. He will pass 4,000 yards if he plays and has a 69.5 completion percentage. If Cousins doesn't play, Colt McCoy will get the start since Robert Griffin III has been inactive since Oct. 18.
When it comes to the running game, there is little to worry about when resting starters as the entire unit is a starter by committee situation. Alfred Morris has a team-leading 651 yards, but only one touchdown. He almost evenly splits carries with rookie Matt Jones. However, Jones was inactive last Sunday with a hip injury and he will almost surely sit out against Dallas as well. Morris will probably start the game, but Chris Thompson might get more playing time.
Tight end Jordan Reed is the leading receiver on the team, and as Trent Smith says, he might be one of the best pass catching tight ends in the entire NFL. He has 83 receptions for 907 yards on the season, 14 more catches than the best wide receiver and almost 200 more yards. He also has a team-leading 11 touchdowns. Expect Reed to play. The other receiver options include number one guy Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, both who might end up setting by halftime.
Washington Redskins on Defense
The Washington Redskins defense is responsible for their seven lost games this season. They rank 24th in the NFL in total defense, 22nd against the pass and 26th against the rush. If Dallas wants to win this game, they need to run hard at the Redskins defense. However, that might be better for Washington as well, as it will allow the clock to continue running and get their players out of the game with less chance for injuries.
The Redskins are in the positive in turnover ratio, taking the ball away one more time than they give it away. That is where they really have the advantage over the Cowboys, who rank dead last in the NFL in that category. Defensive back Dashon Goldson is the star here with 110 tackles, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and three passes defensed. Ryan Kerrigan is the team's leading sack specialist with 8.5 on the season. There is a chance stars here could rest as well.
Washington Redskins' Players to Watch
DeSean Jackson: If he plays, DeSean Jackson will want to gain some revenge against the Cowboys. Last time the teams played, Jackson fumbled a kickoff and almost cost the Redskins the game. He recovered and caught a long touchdown pass, but the Cowboys won the game anyway. Jackson will want to avoid mistakes this week and always plays all-out against Dallas.
Dashon Goldson: With Kellen Moore getting one last chance to prove himself, probably without Dez Bryant again, Dashon Goldson is the player who can capitalize on his NFL inexperience. In his two NFL games, which include seven quarters and his only NFL start last week, Moore has thrown one touchdown and four interceptions. Goldson is someone who can really disrupt the Cowboys' passing game.
Outlook
If the Washington Redskins start their starters, they should beat the Dallas Cowboys, a team whose season is finished after this game. The Cowboys have a chance for a very high draft pick in 2016, and if they win, that hurts them. However, the Redskins could rest their starters since they have nothing to play for and hurt Dallas. The winner of this game will depend on if the Redskins rest their starters or not.
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Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.