Entering Sunday's divisional matchup, the Dallas Cowboys offense is firing on all cylinders after handily defeating the New York Giants, 35-17, in Week 1. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 405 yards and consistently found gaps in the Giants defense. For the first time in his career, Prescott finished with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3.
New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has taken over play calling duties for the Cowboys after the departure of Scott Linehan this offseason. The Cowboys also signed veteran free agent slot receiver Randall Cobb, while tight end Jason Witten came out of retirement.
"He did a great job of calling plays for his first game," head coach Jay Gruden said of Moore. "He mixes the run and pass up very well -- bootlegs and zone reads, keeps you off balance.
Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup have formed a formidable duo on the outside, with Gallup emerging as a vertical threat in his second year in the NFL. Both players finished with more than 100 receiving yards against the Giants.
"[Amari Cooper] is one of the best route runners in the league; how he sets guys up and how's he able to be patient in certain situations and then turn it on when it needs to," Redskins corner Josh Norman said after Thursday's practice. "All of them, they all pose different threats, so if you wanna look at it come Sunday, we've got our work cut out for us. But I feel like it's nothing that we can't overcome."
Last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins secondary blew two coverages, which led to 51-and 53-yard touchdowns from DeSean Jackson. Facing off against another talented offense this weekend, improved communication is paramount. Norman, the self-proclaimed leader of the secondary, took responsibility for last week's miscommunications and assured the media that the defense has been working diligently to sure up the back end.
Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky echoed Norman's sentiment in his weekly press conference Thursday.
"We're just going to keep on working it on the field during practice and making sure the communication's there. We'll get it."
Take a look back on photos from past matchups against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach grimaces as he loses yards during second quarter action Nov. 28, 1974 in Irving, Texas. Making the tackle is Washington Redskins Verlon Biggs (86), Ron McDole (79) and Diron Talbert (72). (AP Photo/Ferd Kaufman)
FILE Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Aaron Glenn (26) in the fourth quarter in Irving, Texas, in this Sept. 19, 2005 file photo. Moss caught two touchdown passes in the final four minutes as the Redskins beat Dallas 14-13.(AP Photo/L.M. Otero)
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 1983, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett (33) takes a hard hit and fumbles the ball during first quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Washington. Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia, announced Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, that the NFL and more than 4,500 former players want to settle concussion-related lawsuits for $765 million. The plaintiffs include at least 10 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Dorsett. The global settlement would fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research. (AP Photo/File)
Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in Washington, Nov. 5, 1989. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek (84) misses a pass as Washington Redskins linebacker Kurt Gouveia (54) hits him in the first quarter in Irving Tex., Nov. 20, 1994. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jorgensen (9) is about be overwhelmed by Dallas Cowboys George Andrie (66) and Jethro Pugh (75) as he scrambles in first quarter action, Dec. 6, 1970 in Dallas. Jorgensen was dropped for a 4-yard loss on the play, as he was unable to find a receiver open. (AP Photo/Ferd Kaufman)
Washington Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey (57) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (8) for a loss of 11 yards in the first quarter Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996 in Irving, Texas. Moving in on the play is Redskins Rich Owens (96) and Sean Gilbert (94). (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is sacked by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, left, runs past Dallas Cowboys safety Keith Davis during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 in Landover, Md. The Redskins won 35-7. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Washington Redskins' John Riggins (44) is pursued by Michael Downs (26) of the Dallas Cowboys in first half action, Jan. 22, 1983 in Washington. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White (11), is hit hard by Dexter Manley (72) of the Washington Redskins just before the first half Saturday, Jan 22, 1983, at RFK Stadium in Washington. White was hurt on the play and left the game. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Washington Redskins inside linebacker Keenan Robinson (52) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. Romo suffered an unknown injury during the play. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo (9) loses the ball after being sacked by Washington Redskins' Brandon Meriweather (31) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys recovered the ball and retained possession. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is sacked by Washington Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Washington Redskins full back John Riggins (44) hammers across the goal line during the second period of the Redskins-Dallas Cowboy game in Washington to give the Redskins a 14-3 edge, Nov. 18, 1979. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) has the ball stripped from his grasp by Washington Redskins' Stanley Richard (24) in the fourth quarter, Sunday, Dec. 3, 1995, in Irving, Texas. Smith tried to retrieve his fumble but did not have complete control of the ball before going out of bounds near the endzone. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scores a touchdown in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the Dallas Cowboys makes an incomplete pass against Sean Taylor #36 of the Washington Redskins on December 26, 2004 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 13-10. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs celebrates the Redskins 14-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005. On the right is running back Clinton Portis (26)(AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White (11) passes through the arms of Washington Redskin defenders Dave Butz (65) and Perry Brooks (69), left, while en route to a 24-10 Dallas victory in Washington, Dec. 7, 1982. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) have a heated exchange on the field after their NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman tries to bring down Washington Redskins halfback Chris Cooley on Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach rears back to pass 22 yards to Ron Sellers (88) on a third down play late in the second quarter, Dec. 31, 1972. Ron McDole, a defensive end for the Redskins (79) leaps high to early to block the pass during the National Football Conference Championship Game in Washington. (AP Photo)
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) defends as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to reach a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Scott Shanle, right, tries to bring down Washington Redskins wide reciever Santana Moss during the second quarter in NFL football action on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach (12) is stopped by Carl Lorch (71) of the Washington Redskins after a third down scramble failed to get a first down in the fourth quarter, Dec. 18, 1979 in Texas Stadium at Irving, Texas. It was one of the few times Roger was halted as he led his team to a come-from-behind victory over Washington 35-34. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to throw a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs shown glasses no hat dark hair center is in the crush with members of his team after they beat the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC Championship at RFK Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 22, 1983, Washington, D.C. (AP Photo)
While a lot of the attention this week has been focused on Dallas' revamped passing attack, the Cowboys are built around All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott and a bruising offensive line. Last season at FedExField, Elliott finished the game with 15 carries for a season-low 33 yards. But later in the season, Elliott eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark on 26 carries and also found the end zone.
On Sunday, the Redskins will be without both Caleb Brantley and Johnathan Allen due to injury, limiting the depth of the interior defensive line. Both Tim Settle and recent signees T.Y. McGill and Treyvon Hester are expected to play increased roles.
On passing downs, the Redskins also understand the importance of putting Prescott under duress. A key matchup to watch will be ninth-year outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan against Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. In 16 games against the Cowboys, Kerrigan has 11.5 sacks.
Opposite Kerrigan will be first-round rookie Montez Sweat and Ryan Anderson, and inside will be proven pass-rushers Matt Ioannidis and Daron Payne. They'll all play a role in trying to collapse the pocket and disrupt a high-octane Cowboys offense.
"It's no pressure; we'll apply that pressure, though," Norman said when asked if there's added pressure facing the Cowboys. "You won't see us running from anything or hiding from anything in the shadows."
