IRVING, Texas - If it really was the case, as some people have suggested, and the Cowboys took the 4-4 Packers lightly, they should have learned their lesson. In the NFL, anybody can beat anybody.
The Redskins' victory over Denver, which beat the Cowboys earlier this year, is proof of the same. While there was a time Washington appeared to be in such disarray as to be an easy opponent on the front side of the quick Thanksgiving turnaround, it should now be clear the Cowboys have to play their best to win.
What's Up?
Sunday's win notwithstanding, things have not been going well in Washington this year, the first clue being the Redskins' Week 3 loss to Detroit, giving the Lions their first win since Dec. 23, 2007. Washington won two games in the first four weeks of the season against cellar-dwellers St. Louis and Tampa Bay, but as the Cowboys were rattling off four wins in a row to climb atop the NFC East, the Redskins were in the midst of an equally-long streak of losses. They stripped head coach Jim Zorn of his playcalling duties, handing those to longtime NFL assistant Sherm Lewis, who was brought in as an offensive consultant in early October, at once ending his retirement and bingo-calling career.
At FedEx Field they even banned fans from bringing in signs, so many of them were critical of the team and owner Daniel Snyder, then had to reverse positions following a public outcry. Yes, things could be better.
But given the history between the Cowboys and Redskins, all would be forgiven if Washington could win Sunday's noon (CST) game.
Statistical View
Stop this guy: Santana Moss has 41 catches for 711 yards and four touchdowns against the Cowboys since coming to Washington in 2005.
Jason Campbell has been steady, but unspectacular. He's completing a career-best 66.1 percent of his passes, but only has 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions. It is a problem that he's on pace for the most sacks of his career, though, with 28 already, and he averages only 207.8 yards per game.
In addition to the middling Campbell, the Redskins have the league's No. 19 rushing offense, with 107.1 rushing yards per game. The lack of yardage has translated into a lack of points, too, Washington averaging just 15.6 points per game, fourth-worst in the league.
The Redskins pass defense is the best in the league, averaging only 162.7 yards allowed per game, thanks in part, maybe, to teams having some success on the ground. Washington gives up 125.7 rushing yards a game, which ranks 24th in the NFL.
Chalk Talk
A week after the Cowboys offensive line had its share of trouble handling big Packers defensive linemen Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins, it's possible $12 million-per-year tackle Albert Haynesworth could miss Sunday's game with a sprained ankle, which would only weaken what has already been a fairly porous run defense. Expect the Cowboys to try to achieve more balance offensively this week, after dropping back to throw four times as much they handed the ball to a running back in Green Bay. The Cowboys had a similar run-pass ratio in the Week 4 loss to Washington last season, then leaned on the ground game more often when the teams met later.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Terence Newman matched up on Moss, as Newman played one of the best games of his career in a one-on-one against him last Nov. 16. Moss was held to five catches for 29 yards, and the Cowboys defense dominated the game after allowing a touchdown on Washington's opening drive, coming out with a 14-10 win.
Connections
Before signing with the Cowboys last Nov. 29, linebacker Steve Octavien spent 10 days on Washington's practice squad . . . Redskins defensive tackle D'Anthony Batiste went to training camp with the Cowboys as a rookie in 2006, and spent a month and a half on the team's practice squad . . . Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham played six games for the Cowboys between 2005 and 2006.
Miscellaneous
The Cowboys are 57-39-2 against the Redskins all-time . . . A Cowboys win would make for consecutive wins over the Redskins for the first time since 2004 . . . Marion Barber will overtake Herschel Walker for eighth on the club's all-time attempts list with his first carry . . . Redskins first-round pick Brian Orakpo is tied with DeMarcus Ware among others for 10th in the league, with 7.0 sacks.
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Josh Ellis - 
