PLAYER NOTES
–K Dustin Hopkins is one 50-yard field goal away from tying the franchise record for a single season. He has three 50-plus yard kicks and would tie four other Redskins kickers.
–RB Adrian Peterson is one rushing touchdown from tying Jim Brown (105) for fifth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
–CB Quinton Dunbar (shin) has missed four of the past five games and did not participate in the walkthrough Tuesday.
–WR Jamison Crowder (right ankle) has missed six straight games, but did not participate in Tuesday’s walkthrough.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: TE Jordan Reed caught seven passes for 71 yards and a touchdown Sunday against Houston. That was his most receiving yards since a Nov. 20, 2016 game against the Green Bay Packers (five catches, 79 yards). Reed can expect more targets this week with a gunslinger like Colt McCoy under center and willing to take more chances than Alex Smith.
GAME PLAN: Beating the Cowboys has always meant stopping the run for the Redskins, who are far better at that now than in the past with defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis. Two years ago, Elliott ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-26 win over Washington on Thanksgiving Day. Last year he returned from suspension and had 150 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
That all changed on Oct. 21 at FedExField when Elliott managed just 33 rushing yards on 15 carries. Elliott is on a roll lately with 273 combined rushing yards in Dallas’ past two wins. Can the Redskins get back being to a dominant run defense?
On offense, new quarterback Colt McCoy will have to deal with a speedy Dallas linebacking corps. The Cowboys rank ninth in total sacks and Washington’s offensive line is a mess with season-ending injuries at guard along with Pro Bowler Trent Williams. McCoy doesn’t have the arm to challenge Dallas down field, so the Redskins need a big day from Adrian Peterson, who has been kept in check the past three weeks but had 99 rushing yards Oct. 21 against Dallas.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Redskins CB Fabian Moreau vs. Cowboys WR Cole Beasley. Moreau is the primary slot cornerback for Washington and has had an up-and-down season in his first full year as a position player and not just on special teams. Beasley leads Dallas in receptions (450 and receiving yards (454). Beasley had seven catches for 56 yards in the Oct. 21 loss to Washington.
–Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence vs. Redskins RT Morgan Moses. Lawrence has eight sacks and eight tackles for loss, but Moses, perpetually banged up but always available, is the heart-and-soul of what remains of the Redskins offensive line. Moses kept Lawrence in check in the Oct. 21 meeting without a sack or a tackle for loss.
