The 5-2 Washington Redskins have managed to put together three solid performances with their latest bringing them a victory over a New York Giants team that has had there way with them in previous years. However, the Redskins haven’t fared well against teams with offenses that have the ability to produce big plays in the passing game.
The 3-4 Atlanta Falcons have battled through a plethora of injuries this season and despite their deficiencies have the ability to shred a defense with a vast complement of wide receivers. The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts gave the Redskins fits this season in their two losses this season.
Let’s take a look at a few key areas that if executed well could lead to another Redskins victory at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
1. Pressure Falcons QB Matt Ryan
Ryan isn’t a scrambling type of quarterback but when given time makes sound decisions with the football. With wideouts Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley they can pick up chunks of yardage in a hurry. Greg Manusky’s defense has taken immediate advantage of their opponent’s offensive shortcomings. Washington is seventh in the league in takeaways per game (1.9) and this is due to their ability to pressure the quarterback.
This is something that needs to continue if the Redskins want to slow down a Falcons offense that is third in the National Football League in passing yards per game ( 317.7). Keeping the Falcons offense one dimensional and in third and long situations allows for the Redskins front seven to apply pressure on a quarterback who is, for the most part, a stationary passer.
The Falcons pass-happy offense has allowed Ryan to be sacked 20 times in Atlanta’s first seven games. Washington will need to continue their upward trend of being a physically imposing unit that in the past three games has averaged four sacks per game ( third best in the NFL) and 2.3 takeaways per game ( fourth best in the NFL).
2. Run to Set Up the Pass
The Atlanta Falcons defense with injuries and a lack of depth have struggled to consistently stop the run or the pass. Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel’s unit is 20th in defending the run (112.7) and 30th in defending the pass allowing 306.7 yards per game.
Even though the numbers indicate that the Redskins through the likes of Jordan Reed, Josh Doctson, and Paul Richardson should be able to take full advantage of this porous Falcons defense, the Redskins need to maintain their formula for success and that begins with a physical running game.
Attacking Atlanta’s defense by aggressively imposing their will on the ground will successfully wear down the Falcons defense. This will open things up in the passing game for Jay Gruden to use some of the play-action and bootleg type plays that create misdirection and allows the Redskins playmakers to get favorable one-on-one matchups by design.
Redskins RB Adrian Peterson is averaging 5.0 yards per rushing attempt in his last two games and is fourth best in the National Football League in rushing yards at home with 336 yards so far this season. Washington is 5-0 win Peterson rushes for 90 yards or more this season.
3. Score Points In the Second half
This may seem a little obvious but when it comes to the Redskins offense it is an area that needs to drastically improve. Washington is averaging 20.9 points per game and is electric in the first half of games as they have scored 12 touchdowns in the first half of their contest this season.
However, in the second half of games, it has been an absolute struggle as the Redskins have only scored two touchdowns this season. With the extra offensive positions provided by the Redskins defense, Washington needs to find a way to reward their defense and put their opponent away by finding the end zone.
Alex Smith and company have to find a way to turn the tide as they will be facing a Falcons defense that is the third-worst scoring defense in the NFL allowing a whopping 30.3 points per game