Redskins Def/Spec Team: Washington facing Dallas without Romo

In 2015, one division in particular is a picture-perfect example of the league’s parity: the NFC East (known by some as the NFC “Least”). Now, Washington (5-6) hosts the Dallas Cowboys (3-8) on Monday Night Football with a chance to take complete control of the NFC East race. Quarterback Tony Romo has suffered two different collarbone fractures, including a season-ending break on Thanksgiving, and his backups-Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel-have been unable to win a game in his absence. Surgery is not expected. They, of course, also believed he would stay in one piece for a change.

“Cassel is clearly capable of winning us a game”, defensive tackle Jeremy Mincey said. Cousins is “still finding his way” according to Gruden who said the Redskins is “his team”. As a kid, you watch Monday Night Football and you dream of playing in the NFL.

“I said another [thing]: If you trust the man next to you, the job is gonna get done”, Jean Francois said. We have the team to win it all. Knighton was on successful teams in Denver.

The 20-14 loss to the Redskins in Washington on Sunday was more frustrating.

But since, the Redskins are a combined 1-8 in December, and with so much riding on this month’s performance, and his future with the franchise uncertain, it’s now up to Cousins to give the city something else to celebrate during the holiday season. Their team is in first place. Dallas also has trips to Green Bay (Week 14) and Buffalo (Week 16) left on the schedule. But it’s too soon to get ahead of themselves. But just how many wins are needed to take down the East? “Sounded like it was beneficial” said Gruden about the opportunity to possible air out their issues. “It’s so hard to try and relax and feel accomplished when there’s so much more to be had. But overall we have a lot of work to do”.

NY (-1.26) is 17th in the NFL. Williams looked gimpy at times against NY because of a bruised kneecap, but the offensive line didn’t allow any sacks. Chris Thompson, the third-down back, has seven receptions of 10 yards or longer. In the last three games he has 833 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

“We’ll see a little bit more of him”. Jones turned a short pass into a 45-yard play last week. They intercepted Eli Manning three times and were causing all kinds of problems. And on the Giants’ first drive of the second half, Manning’s throw from the 4 was intercepted in the end zone by rookie Quinton Dunbar. Jones took a screen pass 78 yards for a touchdown against New Orleans.

Who’s going to stop them? Way’s 60-yard punt against NY was his longest since a 63-yarder on October 4 against Philadelphia. The Redskins are vulnerable to outside runs, but that’s not the Giants’ strength save Shane Vereen. But otherwise the Redskins’ coverage units are coming into their own.

During an interview with WTEM-AM in Washington DC on Monday, Jean Francois explained what his message was to his teammates on Saturday, and that message was that the Redskins can be good this year – good enough to “win it all”. Graham Gano nailed four field goals in the win.

-COACHING: B. A physical week of practice, including constant harping from Jay Gruden and his assistants when plays weren’t run correctly, helped the Redskins shake off an embarrassing loss at Carolina.

Safety Jeff Heath leads the Cowboys’ secondary with a team-high two interceptions.