FOR USE AS DESIRED

            NFL-59             10/11/01

 

COWBOYS-REDSKINS RENEW RIVALRY ON MONDAY NIGHT

 

It’s the Dallas Cowboys.  It’s the Washington Redskins.  It’s Monday Night Football.

 

It’s going to be interesting to say the least.

 

The winless Dallas Cowboys (0-4) meet the winless Washington Redskins (0-4) in a game that both teams desperately need to win.  It’s no secret that both teams have struggled this season but the two franchises are among the most storied in the history of the National Football League and the rivalry between them is one of the best in sports.

 

And they’ll make history this Monday night.

 

The game will mark a MNF-record 12th meeting between the clubs, breaking a tie they share with the Denver Broncos-Oakland Raiders series for most MNF matchups.  Sole possession of the record will be short-lived, however, because Denver and Oakland will meet on Monday night, November 5.

 

Following are the most frequent matchups in the 32 seasons of Monday Night Football:

 

 

Both Dallas and Washington have proud Monday night traditions.  With a win, the Cowboys can tie the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers for the most victories in the history of Monday Night Football.  Dallas’ 60 MNF appearances (34-26) are the most in NFC history.  Washington’s 49 (24-25) are third-most in the conference.

 

Following are some other interesting scenarios in Monday night’s Cowboys-Redskins game:

 

·         The Cowboys have won seven consecutive games against the Redskins and seek to set a series record at eight, breaking a tie with a seven-game win streak against Washington they set from 1979-83.

 

·         The first game of 19-year Redskins cornerback DARRELL GREEN’s career was against the Cowboys on MNF on September 5, 1983.  Dallas won 31-30, with Green making his mark by chasing down TONY DORSETT from behind on a long run.  Green has five career interceptions against Dallas, including two TD returns.

 

·         The Cowboys are 12-7 on MNF since 1994.

 

·         In 20 games against the Redskins, running back EMMITT SMITH has rushed 437 times for 2,074 yards -- a 103.7-yard average -- and 22 touchdowns.  He also co-owns the NFL record with five other players for the most single-game touchdowns on MNF with four against the Giants on September 4, 1995.

 

·         Washington quarterback TONY BANKS was a member of the Cowboys from this past March to August.

 

• Dallas’ defense recorded eight sacks in two games against Washington in 2000.  In the past four games against the Redskins, defensive end GREG ELLIS has four sacks.

 

·         The 1992 San Diego Chargers lost their first four games but finished 11-5 and won the AFC Western Division.