It might not exactly be a must-win for the Dallas Cowboys tonight against the Washington Redskins, but it's about as close as it can be without actually being a game they must win. The season won't end if the Cowboys lose, but their chances of making the playoffs will be very slim.

With that said, here is what to watch for:

1. Tony Romo. This is the easy one. Romo missed three games with a broken right pinkie. The offense was slowing down before his injury, but it nearly stopped without him. How comfortable will Romo be? If he is constantly thinking about his pinkie, that won't be good. He spent much of practice adjusting the small brace that will protect the finger. And Romo has already had ball-control issues, he may be more susceptible to fumbling and wobbly throws with the injury and brace. But he's also a leader and energizer on this team. His teammates are desperate for him to be back. He usually delivers in situations where he's counted on, at least in the regular season.

2. Clinton Portis. It looks like Portis, the NFL's #2 rusher, won't play. If he doesn't, the Cowboys have to make the Redskins and good young quarterback Jason Campbell one dimensional. If Campbell is forced to win or lose it, the Cowboys pass rush should be able to get pressure and force turnovers or bad throws. If they can't, the Redskins will win.

3. Brad Johnson. What? Yes, this is an intriguing development, even though Brooks Bollinger was elevated to the #2 QB, Johnson will still be the second active quarterback on Sunday because he is also the holder. Coach Wade Phillips couldn't find anyone better, so he will keep Johnson active. He likely can't keep all three QBs on game day (the listed third QB can still play, but the other two couldn't return), so if something happens to Romo things could get very interesting. It's a sign that a coach whose special teams have been criticized doesn't want to lose a game or just miss a kick because of a bad hold.

4. Roy Williams, the receiver. Now that Romo is back, will Williams emerge as the threat Jerry Jones hoped he would when he traded for him. If Williams came become a real threat it will open up Terrell Owens and Jason Witten and make for a nice return for Romo, if not the offense will continue to sputter as teams jam Owens and can pay more attention to Witten. Williams should start, with Patrick Crayton moving to the role he is more suited for as the third receiver.

5. Newman! (Think Seinfeld.) The Cowboys need a shutdown corner. Terence Newman has been hurt much of the past two seasons and when he tried to play against the Redskins earlier this season he was badly burned by Cowboys killer Santana Moss. This is a chance for redemption and to help settle a secondary that was supposed to be much improved this season, only to struggle through injuries and the Pacman Jones suspension to another rough year.

Bonus: And it follows what I've just mentioned. Will NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstate Adam "Pacman" Jones? The suspension for violating the league's conduct policy after that incident at the Joule Hotel was for four games contingent on Jones' behavior. He's been quiet since. Owner Jerry Jones said this week he'd welcom Pac back. Will the players. Just something to watch for in the coming week.

Check back throughout the game for updates.

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