How The Dallas Cowboys Win The NFC East Title

I had a chance to play Madden 13 for Playstation on Christmas day.  It not only has many great new features, it also has most of the current starting players.  Although having Brodney Poole at safety for the Cowboys made me laugh.  I will have to get it for my Xbox, because it works with the Kinect system to allow me to call plays and audibles verbally.

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass in warms ups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, the point is that I created a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys playing the Redskins at home with RGIII at quarterback.  The Redskins managed to score first with a field goal, but that was followed by Romo leading the Cowboys downfield for a touchdown.  The Cowboys’ defense fought hard the whole game, getting many three and outs by the Redskins.

Romo was eventually able to lead the Cowboys to another touchdown, while the Redskins were able to add two more field goals.  The final score was Cowboys 14, Redskins 9.  Did I mention Dwayne Harris had an excellent kick return after one of the Redskins field goals?  Well he did, but that should come as no surprise.

Now I don’t expect the real game to follow my video game results exactly, but I do think there is a lesson here, and that is to keep RGIII and Alfred Morris contained, as I did.  I know what the Redskins do with these two keeps the defense guessing, because they have the option for either run or pass on every play and the run can either be Morris or RGIII.

But, if the Cowboys can keep these two contained with eight in the box and play bump and run on the receivers, they have a great shot at stopping them.  On offense, the Cowboys used a mixture of runs with DeMarco Murray and passes from Tony Romo to his receivers, primarily Dez Bryant, to take control of time of possession and keep RGIII on the sideline.

The Cowboys rarely ran on first down.  So, if a first down pass went for another first down, they passed again.  If the first down pass was incomplete, or short of a first down, then they ran.  Many of these first down passes were off of play action.  Also, they ran most of the time on third and short.  In the video game, the Cowboys offensive line was able to successfully able to block strength against strength in an obvious run formation with the fullback.

I know they really are not up to that task, as we have seen all year, so the successful run on third and short will have to come from a three wide spread formation, with the Redskins thinking it’s a pass.

November 20, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) throws a glove into the stands as he leaves the field after the Cowboys game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Redskins issues with pass defense and stopping their opponent on third down ought to play into the Cowboys hands and allow for some big plays to Dez and the other receivers.  We know the Cowboys can pass on this team as exemplified by their play the last time these two teams met, when the Cowboys made a big comeback in the second half, although they ended up a bit short.

So there you have it.  Victory will be achieved if they will only follow my advice.  I am the voice of experience, because I beat the Redskins on Christmas day!