(Best E Casino) - After stumbling out of the gate, the Washington Redskins have hit their stride with back-to-back impressive victories at home. That new-found momentum will be tested, however, when the team hits the road this Sunday for an NFC East showdown with the high-powered Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium.

The dawn of the Jim Zorn era in Washington began with a whimper, with the Redskins showing little production and direction during the first-year head coach's debut, a 16-7 away loss to the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on September 4. The club has since bounced back nicely with a pair of hard-fought wins, rallying from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to overtake New Orleans in Week 2 and coming through with a 24-17 decision over previously-unbeaten Arizona at FedEx Field in Week 3.

Washington's upgraded overall play has coincided with the noticeable progress quarterback Jason Campbell has made under center. The fourth-year pro completed 70 percent of his passes for a combined 514 yards and three touchdowns in the Redskins' two wins, and has yet to be intercepted in 93 attempts this season.

While Washington's offense has been getting better by the week, the Cowboys' attack has been clicking right from the start. Dallas has averaged a league- best 440 total yards over the course of its three season-opening wins and has converted an outstanding 60 percent of its third-down situations, also tops in the NFL at the moment.

Dallas' offensive prowess was illustrated perfectly in last Sunday's 27-16 ousting of reigning NFC North titlist Green Bay at historic Lambeau Field. The Cowboys rolled up 217 rushing yards and an additional 236 through the air on the Packers, while putting together three touchdown drives of 80 yards or more.

That well-balanced unit figures to present quite a challenge for a Redskins defense that will be without premier pass-rusher Jason Taylor this week. The perennial Pro Bowl end will have a streak of 133 consecutive games played snapped after he underwent emergency surgery Monday to drain a mass of blood that had formed in his left calf.

The Cowboys are one of only two NFC teams off to a 3-0 start, with the other being the fellow division-member Giants. With New York enjoying its bye this weekend, Dallas has an opportunity to officially stake its claim as the early front-runner in both the NFC East and conference races.

SERIES HISTORY

The Cowboys lead the all-time regular season series with Washington, 56-36-2, including conventional home-and-home splits in each of the past two seasons. In 2008, Dallas earned a 28-23 win when the teams met at Texas Stadium in Week 11, and dropped a 27-6 decision at FedEx Field in Week 17. In the latter game, which helped put the Redskins into the playoffs, Dallas rested several of its starters for all or part of the contest in preparation for the postseason. The Redskins last won in Dallas in 2005.

Washington is 2-0 against Dallas in the postseason, winning in the 1972 and 1982 NFC Championship games.

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 2-1 all-time against Washington, with one of those wins coming for his Bills team in 1999 at FedEx Field. The Redskins' Zorn will be meeting both Phillips and the Cowboys for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL

Campbell (647 passing yards, 4 TD, 0 INT) appeared to be a slow study in regards to Zorn's West Coast scheme, but his performance over the last two games has provided plenty of proof that the former first-round pick has a good grasp of the new offense. The 26-year-old has been decisive in his reads and dead-on accurate with his throws, skillfully spreading the football to wide receivers Santana Moss (19 receptions, 276 yards, 3 TD) and Antwaan Randle El (14 receptions) as well as trusty tight end Chris Cooley (13 receptions). The dangerous Moss has hauled in a fourth-quarter go-ahead touchdown pass from Campbell during each of the team's last two wins, and racked up an eye-opening 164 receiving yards in the Week 2 triumph over the Saints. Talented rookie Devin Thomas (2 receptions) has been slowly working his way into the mix as well. The Michigan State product had a 68-yard touchdown catch in the Arizona game negated due to a penalty. A veteran line anchored by five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels has supplied solid protection for Campbell, who's been sacked five times in the first three tests.

Dallas' prolific offense has overshadowed the team's quality early-season showing on the other side of the ball. A potent pass rush headed by bookend outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware (13 tackles, 3 sacks) and Greg Ellis (8 tackles, 2 sacks) has produced 10 sacks through the first three weeks, five of which came during last Sunday's win in Green Bay. The All-Pro Ware has notched a sack in six consecutive games dating back to last season, while undersized but quick nose tackle Jay Ratliff (10 tackles, 2 sacks) has gotten to the quarterback in two straight weeks. The Cowboys rank just 19th overall in pass defense (207.7 ypg), partly because teams have often had to play catch-up, but the secondary is still searching for its first interception of 2008. It's still a deep and capable group led by shutdown corner Terence Newman (4 tackles) and free safety and leading tackler Ken Hamlin (19 tackles).

Look for the Redskins to try to keep Dallas' quick-strike offense on the sideline by mixing in a short passing game with a heavy dose of workhorse Clinton Portis (248 rushing yards, 3 TD, 4 receptions). The colorful running back has toted the ball at least 21 times in each of the first three contests, although he's averaging a pedestrian 3.8 yards per carry and has yet to break the 100-yard barrier. In the few times Portis needs a breather, bruiser Ladell Betts (48 rushing yards, 3 receptions) doesn't represent much of a dropoff. Washington enters the week ranked 12th in the league in rushing offense (123.0 ypg).

Portis will be pounding away at a Cowboys squad that has surrendered the sixth-fewest rushing yards in the league (84.3 ypg) and has kept Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook and the Packers' Ryan Grant in check over the past two weeks. However, the defense will again be without one of its key run- stoppers in strong safety Roy Williams (6 tackles), who fractured his forearm in Week 2 and isn't ready to return. Dallas will still have its stout inside linebacker duo of veteran Zach Thomas (17 tackles, 1 sack), who went to seven Pro Bowls during his 12-year stint with the Dolphins, and Bradie James (11 tackles), the team's top tackler in each of the past three seasons.

WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL

Dallas' bread-and-butter on offense remains a downfield aerial attack that's amassed nearly 290 passing yards per week (3rd overall) so far this year. That aspect has been complemented very nicely by a top-notch ground game featuring the versatile and powerful Marion Barber (285 rushing yards, 5 TD). The fourth-year running back was a real difference-maker in the Green Bay win, as he churned out a career-best 142 yards and a touchdown on a 28-carry workload. Fleet-footed rookie Felix Jones (148 rushing yards, 2 TD, 1 reception) also made his presence felt with an explosive 60-yard scoring run in the second quarter. The 2008 first-round draft choice is averaging an eye-popping 8.2 yards per rush in his change-of-pace role. The duo has totaled nearly 150 yards a game behind an elite offensive line that boasts three Pro Bowlers from a year ago but won't have regular left guard Kyle Kosier, who aggravated a foot sprain last Sunday, available for the 'Skins.

It's no secret that Dallas sports a wealth of weapons for star triggerman Tony Romo (892 passing yards, 5 TD, 3 INT), who fell just short of a third-straight 300-yard outing with last week's 260-yard effort against the Packers. Jason Witten (273 receiving yards) has shined as Romo's main go-to guy, with the field-stretching tight end having snared 20 receptions already this season. Game-breaking wideout Terrell Owens (19 receptions, 193 yards, 3 TD) was held to just 17 yards on two grabs by Green Bay and counterpart Patrick Crayton (8 receptions) did not have a catch in the game, but seldom-used return man Miles Austin (4 receptions, 1 TD) compensated with 115 yards on only two receptions, including a 52-yard scoring hook-up in the fourth quarter. Barber (10 receptions, 1 TD) is a vital part of the passing game as well, often serving as Romo's safety valve, while the Cowboys' excellent front wall has allowed only three sacks in three games.

Romo, who has been intercepted in each of Dallas' first three matchups, will be going up against an opportunistic Washington defense that's forced five turnovers in the team's two recent victories. Cornerback Carlos Rogers (12 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) set up last week's game-winning touchdown with a late pick of the Cardinals' Kurt Warner and forms an effective cornerback combo along with 12th-year pro Shawn Springs (9 tackles), while sophomore LaRon Landry (15 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 PD) is an emerging star at free safety. The secondary, which is allowing a respectable 197.3 passing yards per game (16th overall), could be jeopardized by the absence of Taylor up front. With fill-in Demetric Evans (5 tackles) noted more as a run stopper, disrupter Andre Carter (11 tackles, 1 sack) could be facing a lot of double-teams on Sunday.

The Redskins may also have some fine-tuning to do up front after allowing Arizona to average five yards per rush in last week's win, and the defense also wasn't great versus the run in the Week 1 loss to the Giants. It's hard to pin the blame on linebackers London Fletcher (31 tackles) and Rocky McIntosh (22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), since the pair has combined for 53 tackles in just three games. McIntosh had a team-high 10 steps against the Cardinals. Washington currently stands 16th in the league in run defense (108.3 ypg.).

FANTASY FOCUS

Barber's five touchdowns and three straight games of more than 100 all-purpose yards have solidified his status as an elite fantasy performer, while Witten and Romo also rank among the best at their positions and are among an extensive list of must-start Cowboys as well. That group also includes Owens, who will surely be determined to rebound from last week's modest totals, and Jones, who's reached the end zone in each of his first three NFL contests and has earned a greater role in the Dallas offense with his impressive early play. Washington's fantasy stud so far has been Moss, with the oft-overlooked wideout bringing a streak of six straight games (dating back to last season) with a scoring catch into Sunday's clash. Portis may continue to find the yards tough to come by this week, but the Redskins' top rusher is a proven touchdown-producer who should at least make a good No. 2 back or flex play. Campbell's a fine option at quarterback as well, especially with a number of top signal-callers on byes this weekend. So is Cooley at the tight end spot, especially in points per reception leagues. Washington has had a good fantasy defense so far, but draws a tough matchup in the high-scoring Cowboys.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

With the Redskins floundering in their first go-around with a high-level opponent on the road, Sunday's game should serve as an accurate test as to whether Zorn's troops indeed have what it takes to be a contender in the rugged NFC East. If Campbell can deliver another nearly flawless outing under center and the defense keeps up its turnover-producing ways, Washington may just be able to obtain that benchmark victory its been seeking. It's a more likely scenario, however, that the Redskins will give their bitter rivals a good battle but come up a little short. Dallas simply has too many weapons on offense for Washington to effectively contain over the course of a full four quarters.

Best E Casino Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 27, Redskins 20