The last time the Cowboys and Redskins met, back in Week 2, Dak Prescott had yet to win an NFL game. In fact, Dallas had won two of its previous 16 contests without franchise quarterback Tony Romo in the lineup. That all changed on Sept. 19 when the Cowboys scored a late, game-deciding touchdown, and that 27-23 victory would be the first of nine straight victories for an outfit that managed just four wins in 2015.
The obvious storyline for the Turkey Day rematch starts with Prescott, who has played like a grizzled veteran every time he's taken the field save one -- the Week 8 meeting with the Eagles, where he looked like, well, a rookie for three quarters only to regroup in time to help Dallas to an overtime win that, in our minds, cemented his place as the Cowboys' starter.
But there's another quarterback whose storyline is nearly as compelling; Kirk Cousins was the Redskins' fourth-round selection back in 2012, the same year they took Robert Griffin III second overall. At the time, it seemed like a wasted pick. Turns out, Cousins was the best insurance policy the Redskins could have against an RG3 flameout, which came in 2014.
And while Cousins has been an upgrade over Griffin, it hasn't been entirely clear that he was the future of the franchise, at least not right away. Still, the Redskins franchised Cousins in the offseason, which often happens when player and team can't come to terms on a long-term deal. In Cousins' case, there were also concerns about whether he could be Washington's long-term answer at quarterback or if his maddening inconsistency was something that he would never outgrow.
But Cousins has been one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, and that's especially true over the last six weeks. According to Pro Football Focus -- and verified by anyone with two eyeballs -- Cousins sputtered over the first month of the season. In the season opener, the Redskins hosted the Steelers on Monday Night Football and we saw the old Cousins -- indecisive, inaccurate and more burden than benefit to the offense. But he's earned positive grades in each of the last five games, the highlight coming in Sunday night's smackdown of the Packers.
When it was over, Cousins had completed 21 of 30 passes for 375 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers. For the season, he now has 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions and a passer rating north of 95. There's more: According to Football Outsiders, Cousins came into Week 11 as the No. 6 quarterback, ahead of Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford and Ben Roethlisberger -- three quarterbacks who are due a combined $228 million in salary over the next several years.
Which is why the Redskins will be paying Cousins like a franchise quarterback this offseason. Simply put: He's earned it, and they don't have a choice.
And now Cousins will attempt to do something Griffin did: Beat the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving. Of course, RG3 pulled it off in 2012, during his rookie season, when he was still considered the franchise savior. Cousins faces a tough test, mostly because the Cowboys' offense can demoralize opponents. But that group isn't unbeatable; due in large part to the Redskins' ability to score points -- they're a top-10 offense in both the passing and running game, according to Football Outsiders.
But, like the Cowboys, the Redskins' Achilles heel is on the defensive side of the ball. The group ranks 21st in defense (the Cowboys are 19th), and more troubling, they are 30th against the run. That's fine when you're facing the one-dimensional Packers, but problematic when the other team has Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield. But if defensive coordinator Joe Barry can find a way to neutralize -- OK, slow -- Elliott and force Prescott to consistently make plays with his arm, the Redskins will have a chance.
It's not much, but it's something. Especially for a team that's currently No. 6 in the NFC playoff race and would like to keep it that way.
CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco's prediction
This should be a high-scoring game with both teams moving the football. The Redskins are traveling on a short week, which is tough. But their offense is rolling now, much like the Cowboys. Look for a lot of points and a Dallas victory. Dak Prescott keeps winning.
Predicted final score: Cowboys 36, Redskins 27
Our prediction
Everything has to go right for the Redskins, but given how well Cousins is playing, and the playmakers around him -- including tight end Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder (not to mention DeSean Jackson and Robert "Fat Rob" Kelley in the backfield) -- a victory in the Jerry Dome is certainly plausible. Plus, Prescott has to come back to Earth at some point, right? RIGHT?!
(In case you're wondering, we're the only CBSSports.com expert picking the Redskins to win.)
Predicted final score: Redskins 20, Cowboys 17
