The Washington Redskins are big underdogs for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, but upsets happen all the time in NFL and this is a great opportunity for them to finish their season strong. The Cowboys are the better team, but there are a couple of areas the Redskins can exploit that can help them pull the upset.
Let's break down four reasons the Redskins can pull off the shocking upset in Week 17.
4. Redskins have nothing to lose
The Redskins really have nothing to lose in this game and nothing would feel better for them than to knock out a division rival out of the playoffs. That should mean nothing is off the table for the Redskins, including trick plays and going for it on fourth down.
Look for some fake punts maybe a few flea flickers in this one.
3. Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett is the Cowboys' coach for at least one more week and that is advantage Redskins. The Cowboys decided it would be a good idea to have Amari Cooper on the sideline for the Cowboys' last offensive play against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Those are the type of decisions that are going to get him fired after they lose this game. He can't be trusted to make the right decisions to lead the Cowboys to victory.
2. Case Keenum
Case Keenum was the backup quarterback to Dwayne Haskins, but with the rookie's injury, he is now out for the season. Keenum played well in relief of Haskins in his last game, completing 16 of his 22 passes against the New York Giants for 158 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys defense is banged up with guys like Jeff Heath, C.J. Goodwin, and Sean Lee all questionable for this game. Steven Sims Jr. and Terry McLaurin have both proven to be tough wideouts to cover.
As long as Keenum can hit the deep ball, the Cowboys defense is going to have trouble.
1. Dak Prescott
The Cowboys keep trying to play down Dak Prescott's shoulder injury, but it's clear it's having a big impact on his game. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, he completed only 56 percent of his passes for 265 yards. He didn't throw any touchdowns or any interceptions. 265 isn't a bad number, but he missed some easy throws he should have hit.
He also needs practice time with his wideouts, and that isn't something he is going to get this week.
“We don't anticipate him being able to practice very much today,” Garrett said via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “He'll be out there — he was out there for the walk-through and was able to go through the walk-through today. But we don't anticipate him practicing fully today. He'll be limited at best.”
Prescott is having a big season, but he isn't going to be able to be as dynamic as he was at the beginning of the season. If for some reason Prescott can't go it will be Cooper Rush and that is even worse news for the Cowboys.
If Prescott was healthy, this would be an easy victory for the Cowboys, but he isn't and that is going to lead to a Redskins win.
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