LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- After back-to-back losses, the Dallas Cowboys seek to take advantage of a shorthanded NFC East rival to improve their playoff chances.
However, Steve Spurrier would like to put a crimp in Dallas' postseason plans. That certainly would please his owner Daniel Snyder.
The Cowboys have won 11 of the last 12 meetings from the Washington Redskins heading into Sunday's game at the nation's capital.
Snyder is quite envious of Bill Parcells' instant transformation of the Cowboys. Especially since he was expecting the same from Spurrier, who is 12-17 in his second season as Redskins coach.
After three straight 5-11 seasons, the Cowboys stormed to an 8-3 start in Parcells' first year as coach. However, they were outscored, 76-31, in their last two games - losses to Miami and Philadelphia.
The loss to Philadelphia virtually ended Dallas' hopes of winning the NFC East. The Cowboys trail the Eagles by two games and are tied with Seattle for the two wild card spots, one game ahead of Green Bay.
All of Dallas' last three games are against teams with losing records. After visiting Washington on Sunday, the Cowboys will host the New York Giants and close the season at New Orleans.
Dallas battered quarterback Patrick Ramsey and Troy Hambrick rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 victory over the Redskins on November 2 in the first meeting between Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, and Spurrier, the successful college coach.
Spurrier came into the NFL with the reputation of being an "offensive genius" in college, yet the Redskins rank 21st in offense.
Spurrier's "spread offense" makes for shoddy protection schemes. Parcells exploited those schemes as the Cowboys recorded four sacks in the first half and had numerous hits and hurries on Ramsey. Dallas nearly doubled the Redskins in yards, 400-213 and Washington had just 13 first downs.
Ramsey will not have to worry about the blitzes because he will miss the remainder of the season due to a right foot injury. Tim Hasselbeck will make his third straight start for Washington. He threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Redskins' 20-7 win over the New York Giants last week.
Washington will also be without injured running backs Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts on Sunday. Chad Morton and Rock Cartwright will see the bulk of the carries.
Dallas leads the series, 51-34-2.
