McCoy returns home to Texas, looking for the Cowboys Redskins win

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Colt McCoy has silenced his phone, knowing that he would return to his home country for his first NFL game for four years, at the stadium where he had helped Texas Longhorn to try his luck for a national title. quarterback and where he won his last game as a pro.

The long-time Washington substitute also knows what's most important as he succeeds Alex Smith, injured in the leg, late in the season. The Redskins (6-4) can control the NFC East by defeating their Dallas Cowboys rivals (5-5) in the most traditional Thanksgiving match on Thursday.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity, but I think it's even more than that," McCoy said. & # 39; & # 39; It's time to go play and put all the rest aside. We have a huge game this week. It's a huge game. & # 39; & # 39;

McCoy is 2-0 at AT & T, beating Nebraska for the Big 12 Championship title in 2009 and a spot in the BCS Championship game, which Texas lost to Alabama when McCoy was injured early. The Texan kid from a small town defeated the Cowboys five years later, completing 25 of 30 passes for a total of 299 yards by a 20-17 overtime win for the Redskins.

He is 32 years old now and has not started since the last of his three consecutive losses at the end of the 2014 season, just over a month away from his victory over the Cowboys. McCoy, a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2010 after losing to Crimson Tide, has a career record of 7-18.

McCoy is in his fifth year as a Washington substitute and has played only four games in four seasons, including when he replaced Smith in the third quarter of Sunday's 23-21 loss to Houston. Potential coach Dustin Hopkins (63 yards) was tied with 3 seconds left.

& # 39; & # 39; It's been a while since he has not played in an important match. This will be the challenge, "said coach Jay Gruden.

& # 39; & # 39; I know he's excited as hell, dude. He hated having the opportunity as Alex had hurt him. I understand that. But deep down, he was waiting for that. & # 39; & # 39;

Offensive back Ezekiel Elliott was waiting for another Thanksgiving match since he had missed his six-game suspension last year as a result of domestic violence allegations. In his Thanksgiving debut against the Redskins two years ago as a rookie, he jumped into the giant red pot of the Salvation Army after a touchdown in a 31-26 win at Dallas.

The Cowboys have a chance to tie the Redskins for the division's lead thanks to their first-winning streak of the season, a pair of victories on the road after being defeated in their first four games at home. ;outside.

& # 39; & # 39; We said that a few weeks ago, however; we knew the division was still ahead of us, "said quarterback Dak Prescott. & # 39; & # 39; Our backs are still against the wall. We know what this game means. We know how important this game is. & # 39; & # 39;

GREAT RETURNS

Washington could have a big boost if a combination of left tackle Trent Williams, running back Chris Thompson, wide receiver Jamison Crowder and cornerback Quinton Dunbar can come back after long absences due to injury.

Williams just needs to feel comfortable blocking after surgery for a dislocation of his right thumb, and Thompson said his injured ribs felt significantly better this week. Dunbar, who suffers from a nerve injury as part of a shin injury, has the feeling that he is "close enough" but does not know if it will make the problem worse.

WORKLOAD OF ELLIOTT

It turns out that Elliott's record-breaking season – 30 on a 22-19 win against Atlanta – was marked during the Cowboys' annual short week. In road victories over the last two NFC Super Bowl participants in Philadelphia and Atlanta, Elliott had 55 touchdowns (42 runs, 13 shots) for a total of 388 yards from the scrum and three touchdowns.

"If that's what it needs to be, then that's what it's going to be," said Elliott, who needs 91 yards to keep up with NFL point guard Todd Gurley. & # 39; & # 39; I'm really not afraid of that. & # 39; & # 39;

BALANCING

To help McCoy succeed, part of the Redskins' challenge is to bring Adrian Peterson into the field. Peterson had only 16 passes for 51 yards in the loss to Houston, but he has two touchdowns and is eager to play in his home state of Texas.

Pressure is exerted on Peterson and the rest of the Washington halfbacks for what they produce during the current games. The former Oklahoma champion had amassed 99 yards in the win against the Cowboys.

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