What a difference one man can make. Veteran quarterback Brad Johnson (14) not
  only brings a live arm the the Washington offense, but the poise and leadership a
  team needs to make a serious play-off run. With Johnson in the backfield, receivers
  Michael Westbrook (82) and Albert Connell (83) have excelled with a combined 39
  catches, 817 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Meanwhile, in Arizona, the Cardinals have
  had a complete breakdown. A nagging hand injury has stalled quarterback Jake
  Plummer (16), slowing the offense and bringing the entire team down. One of the
  few bright spots has been the play of their secondary. Corners Aeneas Williams
  (35) and Corey Chavous (25) make up one of the best coverage tandems in the
  league. It's a good thing. The Cardinals' front seven has struggled to develop a pass
  rush, giving opposing quarterbacks time to establish a rhythm in the pocket. This is
  key against the Redskins. The Cards can't afford to give Johnson and his receivers
  time to pop open.

  Coaching Points:
  Even with one of the best secondaries in the NFL, the Cardinals can't allow Brad
  Johnson (14) to sit in the pocket and find his receivers downfield. No matter how
  good the coverage is, if the defense can't get pressure on the QB, the receivers will
  eventually get open.
       Johnson takes a seven-step drop, reading the defense as he backpedals.
       Albert Connell (83) and Michael Westbrook (82) cross off the line of
       scrimmage, forcing the defense to react slowly as the play develops.
       Westbrook runs a post route, isolating Connell on the outside against
       All-Pro corner Aeneas Williams (35).
       Connell, who is one of the quickest and best route runners in the league,
       fakes the out and takes off vertical. Williams reads out and overreacts to
       Johnson's fake.
       With Williams lagging behind, Johnson has an easy throw over the top.
With the addition of David Boston (89), the Cardinals will move away from their
  traditional two-back sets to a more dynamic one-back system - similar to the
  schemes used by Minnesota. Boston gives the Cardinals a legitimate downfield
  threat, stretching the defense vertically and opening up the running game. Boston's
  presence takes pressure of off fourth-year receiver Frank Sanders (81). Expect
  Sanders, who finished with an NFC-best 89 receptions, to move into the slot
  position and increase his numbers as the Cardinals' go-to guy. Veteran Rob Moore
  (85), who will move to the backside, should have plenty of opportunities to burn the
  defense inside, outside, and over the top. With three All-Pro caliber receivers on
  the field, quarterback Jake Plummer (16) has the tools to take the Cardinals to the
  next level. However, Plummer is a notorious slow starter. His struggles last season
  cost Arizona four of their first seven games and a shot the NFC Central Crown. The
  Cardinals can't afford to slip up if they plan another play-off run.
Another year, another early season slump. The Cardinals have fizzled out of the
  blocks and need a big win to get Jake Plummer (16) rolling. The team plays to his
  level and desperately needs him to shake off the rust and get the offense in gear.
  But with so many questions on the offensive line and an untimely injury to Rob
  Moore (85), it will be difficult for the offense to get anything done against Dallas.
  Fortunately, the Cowboy secondary has been a weakness, but with the return of
  Deion Sanders (21), Plummer's downfield option could be limited. Sanders gives
  the Cowboys a legitamite coverage corner that will allow the Cowboys to take
  some risks on defense. Dallas should be able to establish a decent pass rush up
  front and make it difficult for the Cards to run or throw the football.

  Coaching Points:
  With Jake Plummer (16) struggling to find any kind of consistency on offense, don't
  be surprised to see the Cardinals to use short control routes to build his confidence
  and to avoid Deion Sanders (21)
       With the return of Sanders, expect to see more man coverage out of Dallas,
       especially with Rob Moore (85) out with a leg injury.
       With Moore out, the Cardinals will close up the offense a little bit, opting for
       more running and play action. Also, with injuries along the front lines,
       expect to see Plummer on the rollout.
       Here, Plummer fakes the pitch to Adrian Murrell (29). This pulls the defense
       away from the action, opening up the backside for the pass.
       Plummer rolls away from the fake and looks for Frank Sanders (81) down
       the sideline. This is an easy pass for Plummer and should go a long way in
       developing his confidence.