In Week 10, the (6-3) Washington Redskins ground out a tough 16-3 win on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Against the Bucs explosive offense, the Burgundy and Gold allowed 501 yards of total offense but kept Tampa Bay’s No. 1 ranked unit out of the end zone; holding them to three points.
This Sunday the Redskins will be facing the No. 1 team in the AFC South, the (6-3) Houston Texans. After losing their first three games, Houston’s coach, Bill O’Brien, has his team riding a six-game winning streak coming into FedEx Field.
With that in mind, here is a trio of players to watch in this important Week 11 matchup:
1. LB Josh Harvey-Clemons
Harvey-Clemons has played an intricate role as a hybrid-type player in Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky’s defense, especially in third-down packages. The Valdosta native can be found all over the field on game-day from the linebacker position to nickel corner or even back at safety. He has a great ability to read and react and has become quite the blitzer when asked to do so. His numbers do not show it but he has influenced a lot of bad throws by applying pressure when the opportunity presents itself.
Keep an eye on how Manusky uses him, to not only be a force in assist in stopping the pass but also guarding against big runs from the very savvy Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watson. So far this season, Harvey-Clemons has 18 combined tackles, two quarterback hits, one sack and two passes defended.
2. WR Michael Floyd
Floyd played 53 percent of the Redskins snaps in the team’s16-3 win over Tampa Bay, catching two of three targets for 15 yards. The sixth-year pro had an opportunity to make a big-time catch over the middle for a substantial gain but could not haul it in. The former Notre Dame product has taken over as the No. 3 wide receiver for a unit that has seen its share of injuries.
Floyd has done an exceptional job in his downfield blocking for the ground game but it will be intriguing to see how much more he will be involved in this week’s air game against the Texans. With Jamison Crowder being out again this week, Floyd could see more targets since he has given QB Alex Smith reasons to trust that he can be counted upon. His participation could be pivotal in opening up Washington’s passing attack.
3. Defensive Front Seven
Washington has done an admirable job against dual-threat quarterbacks. Manusky’s defense held Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott and the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton to a combined 15 attempts for 76 yards, one touchdown as well as forcing three fumbles. Houston’s Watson, through nine games, has rushed the ball 50 times for a total of 286 yards and one touchdown.
In its last three games, the Redskins defensive unit has hit quarterbacks 21 times and logged 11 sacks. In the last two games, Manusky’s group has been able to collapse the pocket but hasn’t been able to close the deal by getting sacks. It will be imperative for that squad to maintain gap responsibilities while being disruptive in the passing game.