Cowboys vs. Redskins: 5 Dallas players to watch on Thanksgiving

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to take on the Washington Redskins on Thursday, here are five players we’ll be watching closely over a Thanksgiving spread.

After losing to the Tennessee Titans coming off their bye week, the Dallas Cowboys have found new life. Posting big wins over the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles, suddenly Dallas has a chance to take over the top spot in the NFC East standings.

And the only team standing in their way is a Washington Redskins. Since their last meeting, the Redskins have suffered numerous injuries. The biggest being to quarterback Alex Smith, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last weekend. Washington will now face the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in a Thanksgiving day matchup.

Here are five Cowboys we’ll be watching closely in this holiday battle for the NFC East against the Redskins.

Dalton Schultz, Tight End

With starting tight end Geoff Swaim sidelined due to a broken wrist, it appears it’s rookie Dalton Schultz who could benefit most from the extra snaps. No tight end other than Swaim himself got more offensive snaps against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11 than Schultz. It appears the Cowboys are starting to trust the 2018 fourth rounder more and more.

Chidobe Awuzie, Cornerback

With cornerback Byron Jones shutting down his side of the field, opposing offenses have begun attacking Chidobe Awuzie instead. And you can expect that to continue as the 23-year old defender has yet to post an interception this season. Although the 2017 second rounder has held his own for the most part, Awuzie did allow Falcons’ wide receiver Julio Jones to catch a 34-yard touchdown last Sunday that tied the game late.

Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker

Likely the Cowboys most exciting rookie to watch since wide receiver Dez Bryant in 2010, Vander Esch is emerging as one of the top linebackers in the entire NFL. (Note: As mentioned in our comment section, I forgot about running back Ezekiel Elliott’s rookie season, which was clearly very exciting.) And in every game the 18th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft has played so far he sees to be improving with every snap. Vander Esch is must watch-TV right now and his legend should only grow in front of a Thanksgiving day audience.

Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver

Since arriving in Dallas, Cooper has yet to have a truly transcendent performance for the Cowboys. With his skill set and the opportunity he has in Big D, it’s only a matter of time before Amari will post a breakout game. Why not against the Redskins, whose passing defense allows 261 yards per contest through the air. That’s 24th most in the NFL.

Xavier Woods, Safety

All offseason fans were spoon-fed just how much this team loved Xavier Woods and believed he could be a stellar starting safety in the NFL. Yet, we now know Dallas was also attempting to trade for All-Pro Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas. Woods has been a boom-or-bust player this season. The former sixth-rounder must show some improvement this year if he expects to keep the starting role in 2019. Against the Redskins, Woods could make a big play to help the Cowboys win … or he could make the big mistake that causes them to lose.