Week 1 matchup: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

Debuts in D.C. The Redskins will unveil their latest big offseason acquisitions Sunday. These two are bigger than most, given Shanahan’s and McNabb’s resumes. Their arrivals have boosted the players’ confidence higher than at any time in the Dan Snyder era in Washington.
How healthy are the Cowboys? Dallas had a bad preseason. It looked nothing like a serious contender. Injuries had to play a part. Right tackle Marc cheap nfl jerseys
Colombo(notes) (knee) and wide receiver Dez Bryant(notes) (ankle) should be ready for the opener; left guard Kyle Kosier(notes) (knee) won’t. He might be the only player sidelined.
Will Albert Haynesworth(notes) play? The Redskins have tried to change Haynesworth all summer. They’ve failed. Now, disappointed by his effort, there’s a chance he could be inactive for the opener. Washington, though, needs him in the middle of the defensive line to make its pressure packages more effective.

Three key Redskins

LT Trent Williams(notes). The rookie draws Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware(notes) in his pro debut. Williams was solid most of training camp; he showed athleticism and an ability to recover from bad situations because of his long arms. He also struggled vs. Terrell Suggs(notes) in the preseason, looking surprised by Suggs’ quickness. Ware has speed and strength.
C Casey Rabach(notes). Rabach has a tough matchup against Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff(notes). Rabach Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
struggles more against big nose tackles; Ratliff is smaller, but faster. Ratliff’s ability to penetrate and force backs to cut deep in the backfield can destroy a running game.
TE Chris Cooley(notes). McNabb loved throwing to his tight ends in Philadelphia; he has a good one in Washington. The Cowboys have struggled against Cooley in the past. Look for them to use multiple players to contain him. They have the cornerbacks to stop the Redskins’ wide receivers.

Three key Cowboys
LT Doug Free. The fourth-year pro is taking over for Flozell Adams(notes). He looked good in the preseason. His first real test will come Sunday against Brian Orakpo(notes), who, like Ware, is fast and strong. Free must prevent Orakpo from getting into his chest.
OLB Anthony Spencer(notes). The Redskins’ tight ends must block well in the offense’s cutback running scheme. That will be difficult to do vs. Spencer, who has played well against Washington in the past. Spencer also has improved as a pass rusher; he’ll test Redskins right tackle Jammal Brown(notes), who relied more on strength than quickness this summer.
C Andre Gurode(notes). Dallas will be successful running the ball if Gurode can control the middle of Washington’s new 3-4 defense. Redskins nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu(notes), who missed last season because of an Achilles’ injury, was not good against the run in the preseason. He got pushed back too often.
Bottom line
The Cowboys have an explosive offense, but Indianapolis Colts jersey
the Redskins can confuse QB Tony Romo(notes) with different looks. Dallas’ defense will make the difference in the opener, especially with McNabb (sprained ankle) still working on his timing with his receivers. Cowboys 20, Redskins 17.