The Redskins face a challenge to Demarcus Lawrence and the surprisingly robust defense of Dallas

Demarcus Lawrence is not the most well-known of the league throwers. He does not have the love of a Khalil Mack, Von Miller or JJ Watt, but since the start of the 2017 season, Lawrence's 20 bags are the second NFL total behind Chandler's 22 and a half Jones. The defensive end of the Dallas Cowboys won their first Pro Bowl in 2017 and is currently tied with Jones and Miller for fifth place of the season with five and a half sacks.

The Redskins are not surprised by these numbers.

"I know he's looking out of nowhere, but he was a big pick in the second round," said Redskins' left tackle, Trent Williams. "It probably could have been a first-round pick. The talent has always been there. . . . He was beating his early years, but whenever he was on the ground, he was always productive, if you watched him. … He has been playing well for a long time. So, he is not new to us. We know very well how good he is. "

Washington, who dominates the NFC East with a 3-2 record, is the Dallas host on Sunday for his first division game of the season. The Cowboys, coming off a 40-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and sitting half-a-game at the Redskins, come to town with one of the best defenses in the league. The expectations for the unit were not high before the season, but it performed well in all areas, second in the NFL in points allocated (only 17.2 per game) and fourth overall (315 ).

Lawrence is one of the key elements of this defense. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound player battles a ragged labrum, but should continue to play with fierce energy. A fractured foot and back made him lose ground early in his career, as well as a four-game suspension in 2016 for violating the league's drug policy to improve performance.

"D-Law was someone who, throughout his career with us, was very productive when he had opportunities," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. "He was obviously very productive with the quarterback and the one-quarter dismissal. It makes a lot of difference playing in the game, but is also a very good defender. He is very proud of that. He shows the rest of our guys how to come to work every day and train, and how to play. He really grew up as a player and we are lucky to have him. "

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Redskins right-winger Morgan Moses is most likely to see Lawrence's big day on Sunday, as he is mostly on the left side of the defensive line. According to the Pro Football Focus stats website, Lawrence has played 166 snapshots left, versus just five right.

"One of the characteristics of their defense is that they play until the whistle," said Moses. "Never is [half-speed]. They run to the ball. You put them on the ground and they get up and run 20 meters to continue the ball. It's their effort, man. "

Lawrence plays in 2018 with a $ 17.1 million franchise and hopes that another good season will turn into a lucrative business in the long run. Williams also mentioned defensive back Randy Gregory – who will likely be lined up on the right side of the defensive line, in front of Williams – as a hard-to-manage player that many people do not know. The Cowboys have spent capital projects in recent years to tackle the defensive line. Gregory participated in the second round in 2016 and defenseman Taco Charlton was the No. 28 overall pick in 2017. The dreaded redskins offensive line will be tested.

Lawrence, the second-round pick of 2015, set the tone for the entire group and Redskins coach Jay Gruden said his non-stop engine was what stood out.

"He's a very skilled runner, but what makes him special is his relentlessness," said Gruden. "It can be blocked, it can be doubled and somehow, I do not know how it does it, it succeeds, and does not necessarily get sacked, but it is present and it affects a lot the I just think he has a lot of talent, but the way he plays, the effort with which he plays is unparalleled. "