'Skins' Wuerffel hopes to weave new pattern

QB looks to avoid pitfalls of Matthews and Ramsey

ASHBURN, Va. - Here they go again.

The Washington Redskins have seen this pattern before. Their new quarterback sparkles in his debut and guides the team to victory before faltering badly in two straight losses.

It happened with Shane Matthews when he powered Washington to an eight-point win against the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener before two consecutive setbacks forced Matthews to the bench. Patrick Ramsey - replacing an injured Danny Wuerffel - led the Redskins to a 17-point rout of the Tennessee Titans before back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers earned him a demotion, too.

So as Wuerffel, coming off a mistake-free effort in Sunday's 20-17 upset of the St. Louis Rams, prepared for Washington's game against the Dallas Cowboys today at Texas Stadium at 4:05 p.m., did he have any concerns about the troublesome trend?

Apparently not.

"You can find a lot of trends," said the six-year veteran, who played just one series against the Titans before injuring his throwing shoulder. "We will just play this game like any other game and not worry about what happened in the past. We'll see how it goes."

Coach Steve Spurrier was a little more wary, saying he, too, had noticed the pattern that followed Matthews' and Ramsey's performances.

"I realize the first time they both played, they did very well," Spurrier said. "After that, we sputtered, sputtered, sputtered. I don't know. Sometimes players don't perform when the pressure's off. So maybe we ought to keep the pressure on them."

The Redskins (5-6) would do well to learn from the past. In three of the four losses that followed Matthews and Ramsey's debuts, the offense threw the ball at least 30 times and ran it fewer than 18.

After completing 28 of 40 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals, Matthews went a combined 27 of 50 for 231 yards with one touchdown and two sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.

Ramsey, who burned the Titans on 20 of 34 for 268 yards and two touchdowns, followed that up with a combined 31 of 67 for 455 yards, a touchdown, four interceptions and 13 sacks against the Saints and the Packers.

How Wuerffel will fare against the Cowboys (4-7) depends on which defense shows up for Thanksgiving. Before last week's 21-19 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Dallas defense had surrendered an average of 289 yards in four consecutive losses.

Against St. Louis, Wuerffel connected on 16 of 23 passes for 235 yards, and although he didn't throw a touchdown, he also didn't toss an interception or get sacked.

Unlike the Rams, however, the Cowboys' pass rush likely won't be as generous. Defensive linemen Greg Ellis (6.5 sacks) and La'Roi Glover (5.5) represent a much larger challenge for Washington's offensive line.

"I think Dallas' defensive line is a lot better than St. Louis', " said Redskins right guard Tre Johnson. "They're definitely more physical. [In] size, they're comparable. But I would have to give Dallas the nod as being the better defensive line from a depth perspective and as a unit."

To keep the pressure off Wuerffel on Sunday, Spurrier opted to move away from a passing attack that had posted an 86-37 pass-run ratio in consecutive losses to the Jaguars and the New York Giants and relied on the ground game.

His faith paid off when running back Stephen Davis scored three rushing touchdowns and carried the ball a season-high 31 times - a decision that helped the Redskins hold on to the ball for almost 32 minutes.

Washington is 0-4 when Davis gains less than 80 yards, 4-1 when he rushes for at least 80.

"We just have to be consistent in what we do," wide receiver Derrius Thompson said. "Try to run the ball, be patient with the running game and throw the ball effectively."

The last part of that formula will depend on Wuerffel.

Can he do it considering the path already paved by Matthews and Ramsey? Offensive tackle Chris Samuels said yes.

"I don't think it's a hex," he said. "At times, we'll play well, and at times, we'll play badly. We have to [play well] now. Our backs are against the wall. We have to win out."

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Davis vs. Dallas 'D'

After last week's 88-yard, three-touchdown performance against the St. Louis Rams, Stephen Davis ranks 12th among NFC rushers with 675 yards. Dallas, however, has been giving up only 108 rushing yards a game. Only two running backs (Edgerrin James of the Indianapolis Colts and Fred Taylor of the Jacksonville Jaguars) have broken 100 yards against the Cowboys.

2. Get to Hutchinson

Dallas quarterback Chad Hutchinson has had to develop despite being sacked 15 times in four games. The offensive line has allowed 35 sacks. Only the Houston Texans (58 sacks) and the Buffalo Bills (38) have been more generous. Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is sixth in the NFC and seventh in the NFL in sacks with 9.0.

3. The mental barrier

All eyes will be on Washington, which hasn't defeated the Cowboys since Oct. 13, 1997. The Redskins also have never won in four Thanksgiving Day meetings in Dallas. But if there is a silver lining, Dallas is just 1-4 in its past five Thanksgiving games.

- Edward Lee

Redskins today

Matchup: Redskins (5-6) vs. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)

Site: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Time: 4:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: Chs. 45, 5/WNAV (1430 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM)

Line: Redskins by 1