Redskins, Cowboys still trying to find their way

The Dallas Cowboys (3-3) and Washington Redskins (3-3) are chasing Philadelphia (6-1) in the NFC East.

It’ll be a short week for the Redskins, who lost on the road to the Eagles 34-24 Monday night. They return home to host the Cowboys on Sunday at FedEx Field. Kickoff is 3:25 p.m on KDFW/4.

It’s still early, but this could be a swing game for the Cowboys or Redskins as they go forward.

Solid Cousins

Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Redskins might not be a long-term match, but he continues to show he’s a quarterback capable of leading a team. Even though the Redskins are 3-3, Cousins shouldn’t shoulder too much of the blame. He’s posted a 100-or-better passer rating in the past four games, throwing 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in that stretch. Cousins is on pace for his third consecutive 4,000-yard passing season. But he has been prone to an untimely interception, as he was Monday against the Eagles.

Receiving threats

The Redskins’ leading receiver is running back Chris Thompson, who has 366 yards and three touchdowns on 23 receptions. Former TCU and Mansfield Legacy product Josh Doctson had a career-high three catches on Monday, but has yet to have a breakout game early in his career. The Redskins used a 2016 first-round pick on Doctson, who missed much of last season with an Achilles injury and has been slow to establish himself this season. But tight end Jordan Reed is putting together another solid season and is coming off a two-touchdown game against the Eagles.

Non-receiving threats

The early-season buzz had Terrelle Pryor pegged as a guy who could flourish with Cousins. Pryor had a 1,000-yard receiving season with the Cleveland Browns in 2016, and was expected to build on that with Washington. But he has just one touchdown reception and is on pace for less than 600 receiving yards. Pryor didn’t start Monday and was in on a season-low 30 snaps.

Injury concerns

The Redskins have plenty of injury issues along their offensive line going into the Cowboys game. Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams is dealing with a right knee injury, and acknowledged after Monday’s game that he might have to rest it. Right guard Brandon Scherff injured his left knee and his status for the game is uncertain. Those are two elite players the Redskins could be without in Sunday’s game.

Defense matters

The Redskins’ defense is a middle-of-the-road unit on the statistics sheet, but has been exposed by proven offenses in losses. The Eagles scored 30 and 34 points against them, and the Kansas City Chiefs scored 29. But the Redskins have talent and one of the best tacklers in the league so far. Signing Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Brown in the off-season is paying off, as Brown ranks third in the NFL with 63 tackles. He’ll have his hands full this week in trying to bring down Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys rushing attack.

This story was originally published October 24, 2017 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Redskins, Cowboys still trying to find their way."