Based on the timing of this game and the circumstances that now surround it, it’s clear that the Thanksgiving showdown between Washington and Dallas is the biggest game that will be played by the Burgundy & Gold in quite some time. On a national stage, in front of a national audience, on arguably the biggest day of the football season, Washington will play for the top spot in the NFC East, facing off against a team that they beat 25-3 just a few weeks ago.
This game will be a bit harder than the matchup they had in Week 7 against the Cowboys, a team that has some renewed confidence after a big win over the Minnesota Vikings, precluded by a valiant effort against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, though, Washington is also coming off of their first win in several weeks, and they have a right to be feeling confident as well. If they are going to take their spot atop the rest of the NFC East for the time being, it’s going to take a solid gameplan, and excellent execution as well. Here are our biggest keys to victory for Thursday: