Redskins defense uses ingenuity, intuition to stymie Cowboys

LANDOVER, Md. -- The first time Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo rushed around the left side, it became clear: Alex Barron could not stop him on the rush. And the more Washington used Orakpo on this side, the more the evidence accrued.

Orakpo typically lines up on the right side of the defense. But when it came down to the final play of the Redskins' 13-7 victory Sunday night, it wasn't surprising that Orakpo lined up opposite the Cowboys right tackle.

Washington's creativity on defense helps players like safety LaRon Landry apply pressure on Tony Romo. (US Presswire)

The play looked like a few others Orakpo had vs. Barron. As he rushed, Barron failed to ever get low enough to stop him. Orakpo excels at exploding into offensive players, rolling his hips. Considering Barron barely bent his knees, it was a mismatch.

And as soon as Orakpo got his hands into Barron's chest, the play was over. Orakpo would then dip and get around him, only to be clotheslined. It was the second time Barron was called for holding vs. Orakpo.

"That has to be like five sacks out there with the penalties," Orakpo said. "Let me get a sack, please. ... I'm disappointed I didn't finish the play, but I couldn't finish the play. At the same time, winning is all that matters. I don't care about my stats. I let my game speak for myself. We got some good holding calls and that's all she wrote."

It spoke volumes.

"They were holding Rak all game," Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth said. "He was killing them on the rush. If they didn't hold him, he would get a sack."

With Haynesworth's role diminishing, it's important for the Redskins to generate a rush with their most explosive player: Orakpo. Unlike last season, Orakpo is playing closer to the line of scrimmage in the 3-4. In the 4-3, he had to play several yards off the ball. He's much more comfortable playing close to the line, allowing him to get into offensive players sooner; that enables him to use his quickness and strength to drive guys back.

The deception doesn't involve only him. Washington's defensive front provided numerous looks designed to provide a moment's hesitation. Even when the Redskins would rush only four, they wouldn't always do it with the same guys.

They showed a 4-3 look in which Haynesworth and Adam Carriker aligned as tackles, with the outside linebackers serving as De facto ends. They showed a one-man front in which Vonnie Holliday was the lone down lineman; sometimes, he rushed standing up. In those situations, the linebackers are free to roam before the snap, though they must rush through a designated gap. At times, both outside linebackers, plus an inside 'backer, would be aligned over one end. Not all would rush; good luck trying to figure out who would.

They're also sending more blitzes from the corner. In years past, they likely would have rushed four and covered with seven. Against Dallas, on the final drive, the Redskins were still blitzing corners. It didn't always work -- the 30-yard pass to Miles Austin came off a corner blitz from the other side.

"They showed us some looks we had never seen before," quarterback Tony Romo said.

CBSSports.com Grades
Dallas Cowboys
C	Dallas' offense failed to convert in the red zone. Alex Barron needed more help. The Cowboys defense was excellent, but had little help.
Washington Redskins
B	Washington's defense allowed only one touchdown -- and scored one -- using multiple looks vs. Tony Romo up front and held off Dallas with a last-second stand. The Redskins' offense managed two field goals, using the clock and getting a key field goal late.
By John Keim RapidReports Correspondent

But the key, in the end, is Orakpo. His versatility is crucial and when it was clear that Barron -- subbing for injured starter Marc Colombo -- could not handle him, he found himself a little more on that side. Perhaps Dallas should have run the ball more; it gained 4.7 yards per carry but only ran 22 times and dropped back to pass 49 times.

But they opted to pass. That meant more chances for Orakpo.

"It's very important [to move him around]," Orakpo said. "It keeps offenses on their toes. They don't know where the blitzes are coming from or where I'm coming from. I could be on the line. I could drop at the same time. It's keeping them elusive. It's a very deceiving defense. It keeps offensive schemes on their toes."

When a team manages only 250 total yards of offense, while allowing 380, and receives only two field goals from the offense, it needs help from the defense. As big a role as Orakpo played in the end, it was a basic play that provided the momentum.

Though the Redskins have worked extra on forcing turnovers in practice -- they run more drills to remind players to punch at balls from behind, for example -- it's not as if this is the first time a player has known to try and strip the ball on a tackle.

That's what cornerback DeAngelo Hall did on the last play of the first half. He stripped Tashard Choice after a reception -- knowing that Lorenzo Alexander and Andre Carter were around the ball.

"I don't think were going for it more, but if the opportunity presents itself, we're definitely being taught to go strip the ball," Hall said. "You don't want to strip the ball when it's a one-on-one tackle. The guys were around there and I was able to get my hands on it."

That didn't require strategy -- merely instincts. A mix of both helped Washington win.

John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner and is a CBS Sports correspondent.