The NFC East rivals are coming off bye weeks and embarrassing losses – the 6-3 Redskins were pummeled 23-6 by the Steelers and the 5-4 Cowboys lost 35-14 to the Giants before the bye.

Who Gets the Post-Bye Bump? The Redskins had an uncharacteristic offensive showing in their last game. Jason Campbell threw his first two interceptions of the year and was sacked seven times, while Clinton Portis rushed for only 51 yards . The bigger question mark for Sunday is Portis – second only to Adrian Peterson in the NFL in rushing yards this year – whose sprained knee makes him a 50/50 for starting Sunday, according to Jim Zorn. The backup plan is to use Ladell Betts, just coming off an injury himself, Shaun Alexander, whose carries and yardage have been minimal so far, and even Rock Cartwright.

The Redskins also pulled a Dallas-like move over the bye week by signing outspoken DeAngelo Hall at cornerback (someone on ESPN actually predicted he would end up in Dallas due to the team’s history of rehabilitating talented troublemakers). Supposedly, the two-time Pro Bowler’s presence will help a “banged up” secondary that has nevertheless played well this year (the defense is fourth overall in fewest yards allowed per game, sixth against the run and eighth against the pass). If nothing else, Hall, who is not scheduled to start Sunday, adds a bad boy edge to the Redskins’s sideline, which has been relatively scandal-free since Chris Cooley’s camera escapade earlier this season.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, will have Tony Romo back for the first time since he injured his pinkie in Week 7 (we’re not sure who sent more flowers, Terrell Owens or Jessica Simpson). Jason Witten, who was Dallas’s leading receiver Week 4 against the Skins, is battling a broken rib but should play Sunday.