The Washington Redskins are in a heated battle for the NFC East that is anyone's game at this point. With Kirk Cousins trying to heat up at the right moment, the team is preparing to play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in a game for a tighter grip on the division. Cousins has been playing better football lately, but could be without one of his top receivers as DeSean Jackson remains a question for the game.
According to head coach Jay Gruden via the Washington Post, Jackson is listed as questionable for the Week 13 game as he deals with an upper respiratory illness. The wide receiver missed practice on Sunday which makes his time on the field unknown against the Cowboys. Jackson has played just five games all season so the Redskins are used to being without him. He has 212 yards and two scores on the year, but his speed could be an x-factor against the Cowboys' defense.
If Jackson is out or limited, players like Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder will be critical in getting a win in Week 13. Reed has been a breakout star this season with Niles Paul out for the season. The tight end has been thriving with more responsibility on his shoulders and his team is benefitting from it. According to Reed he can always improve.
"There are definitely things I can do better," Reed said, via ESPN.com. "A couple calls were ticky-tack but a few of them weren't. Some of them were holding. The thing I can do better is get my hands inside. On ever play, tight end, offensive linemen, wide receivers, we're all holding when blocking. Either you got your hands on the outside where the refs can see them or you got your hands on the inside. I have to work on getting my hands on the inside. I have to work on that in practice and try to be mindful in a game because it's hurting our team, and it can't keep happening."
The big thing for the Redskins will be to get the run game going. Cousins plays better when either Matt Jones or Alfred Morris steps up for a big game. Both running backs have been hot and cold this year. Morris is playing for a contract while Jones is making more of his time on the field. If either player can step up for an improved match against the Cowboys, the Redskins have a chance to get the win over the wounded Cowboys and get a better grip on the NFC East.