In 2017, the Redskins haven?t been favored in a whole lot of games. This week, that is going to change. The team is taking on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 at FedEx Field. The Cardinals enter the game at 6-7 while the Redskins sit at 5-8. The two teams have taken a similar path to reach this point of the season, as injuries have capsized their respective seasons.
On paper, the two teams matchup fairly evenly. That said, it?s clear that the Redskins will have the advantage in this contest. They have the superior quarterback. Whether or not you think Kirk Cousins is a true franchise quarterback, I think we can all agree that he is better than Blaine Gabbert.
Still, the Redskins are going to need more than just strong quarterback play to take down the Cardinals.
Get D.J. Swearinger involved on defense early
This game is a big one for D.J. Swearinger. He is taking on his former team for the first time since leaving in free agency. He spoke early in the week about how this contest will carry extra weight, and it?s clear that he is playing for something in this game, unlike many of the Redskins.
Swearinger has also shown frustration in recent weeks with the effort and preparation of the team. So, he is going to want to come out and be an example for his teammates after calling out everyone in the previous week?s postgame press conference.
With that said, Sunday?s game might be time for Swearinger to put his money where his mouth is and have a big game. He has a reason to play hard and without Zach Brown on the field, the Redskins are going to need someone to provide the energy. That well could be Swearinger this week.
Getting Swearinger amped up is an easy process. All the coaching staff has to do is design defensive plays early on that put him in a position to make big plays. Obviously, this is harder to predict when creating coverage patterns, so Greg Manusky may try to bring Swearinger closer to or inside the box to help the linebackers. Perhaps calling a couple of blitzes early that involve Swearinger could do a lot to jump start him and get him energized. If that happens, it could rub off on the rest of the defense and in particular, his teammates in the secondary.
There?s no guarantee that Swearinger would be able to succeed on early plays that involve him trying to stop the run or blitz. But it can?t hurt to figure out if he?ll be able to make some splash plays early. The Redskins need some playmakers to step up, and in the right situation, he could be the spark they need to succeed.
Take Chandler Jones out of the game on offense
The Redskins offensive line is likely going to be undermanned once again on Sunday. With Trent Williams questionable for the game and having not suited up all week, the team may end up having a hole at left tackle. Ty Nsekhe has played well in the past, but he has dealt with a core muscle injury this season that has impacted his ability to be a quality blocker.
This has to excite Chandler Jones. The leading sack man in the NFL is getting a chance tot bring his numbers to the next level against a weak offensive line. While the Redskins may not have the best or most healthy blockers available to face him, they can strategically plan to take him out of the game.
Early on, the Redskins should look to take Jones out of the game by using his aggressive, pass rushing mentality to their advantage. Running screens to Jones? side of the ball could afford Washington an opportunity to gain chunk yards without directly going against the team?s strong run defense and it could take Jones out of the play.
On a screen, Jones would be breaking towards the quarterback and he would jump at a chance to hit the quarterback. But if Kirk Cousins can release the ball quickly enough and if the play is properly developed, then the Redskins could gain enough yards on the play to make it an effective strategy.
Of course, that would only work for so long. The team can?t constantly run screens towards Jones. So in addition to that, the team will have to establish a ground game and ensure that Samaje Perine can at least keep the Arizona defense honest. That will open up the play action portion of the playbook and that is one of Cousins? major strengths. He would be able to bait Jones into defending the run and would limit his chances to get a sack as a result.
It?s going to take a lot of effort to shut out Jones. With the right game plan, Jay Gruden can help the team to get it done and score him some brownie points that will help him to cool off his ever-warming seat.
Find a way to contain Ricky Seals-Jones over the middle of the field
The Redskins are going to be down a couple of key players at safety and linebacker on Sunday afternoon. For the first time this season, Zach Brown is going to be missing a game due to a laundry list of injuries that have limited him in recent weeks. In addition to his absence, rookie safety Montae Nicholson will miss his fourth straight game due to a concussion.
Due to the absence of these two players and the injuries that have ravaged the depth at the linebacker position, there is reason for concern in regards to the middle of the field. Often, Nicholson and Brown have been tasked with covering tight ends working over the middle of the field while Kendall Fuller continues his stellar play out of the slot. While that trio hasn?t always worked perfectly, it has generally been effective.
With both Nicholson and Brown out, the Redskins are going to have to figure out a different way to cover Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones. The former college receiver has had a major impact on the Arizona offense in recent weeks and Blaine Gabbert loves throwing to him. The Redskins have to find a way to limit him, and that could involve shifting coverage responsibilities. Maybe even the aforementioned Swearinger will see more responsibility in helping patrol the middle of the field.
At the end of the day, containing Seals-Jones will allow Washington to find some success on the defensive side of the ball. They have good matchups in many areas, but their major weakness is in the middle of the field. Expect Manusky to experiment with different coverages and if he can find something that works, he will employ it all day long.
On paper, the two teams matchup fairly evenly. That said, it?s clear that the Redskins will have the advantage in this contest. They have the superior quarterback. Whether or not you think Kirk Cousins is a true franchise quarterback, I think we can all agree that he is better than Blaine Gabbert.
Still, the Redskins are going to need more than just strong quarterback play to take down the Cardinals.
Get D.J. Swearinger involved on defense early
This game is a big one for D.J. Swearinger. He is taking on his former team for the first time since leaving in free agency. He spoke early in the week about how this contest will carry extra weight, and it?s clear that he is playing for something in this game, unlike many of the Redskins.
Swearinger has also shown frustration in recent weeks with the effort and preparation of the team. So, he is going to want to come out and be an example for his teammates after calling out everyone in the previous week?s postgame press conference.
With that said, Sunday?s game might be time for Swearinger to put his money where his mouth is and have a big game. He has a reason to play hard and without Zach Brown on the field, the Redskins are going to need someone to provide the energy. That well could be Swearinger this week.
Getting Swearinger amped up is an easy process. All the coaching staff has to do is design defensive plays early on that put him in a position to make big plays. Obviously, this is harder to predict when creating coverage patterns, so Greg Manusky may try to bring Swearinger closer to or inside the box to help the linebackers. Perhaps calling a couple of blitzes early that involve Swearinger could do a lot to jump start him and get him energized. If that happens, it could rub off on the rest of the defense and in particular, his teammates in the secondary.
There?s no guarantee that Swearinger would be able to succeed on early plays that involve him trying to stop the run or blitz. But it can?t hurt to figure out if he?ll be able to make some splash plays early. The Redskins need some playmakers to step up, and in the right situation, he could be the spark they need to succeed.
Take Chandler Jones out of the game on offense
The Redskins offensive line is likely going to be undermanned once again on Sunday. With Trent Williams questionable for the game and having not suited up all week, the team may end up having a hole at left tackle. Ty Nsekhe has played well in the past, but he has dealt with a core muscle injury this season that has impacted his ability to be a quality blocker.
This has to excite Chandler Jones. The leading sack man in the NFL is getting a chance tot bring his numbers to the next level against a weak offensive line. While the Redskins may not have the best or most healthy blockers available to face him, they can strategically plan to take him out of the game.
Early on, the Redskins should look to take Jones out of the game by using his aggressive, pass rushing mentality to their advantage. Running screens to Jones? side of the ball could afford Washington an opportunity to gain chunk yards without directly going against the team?s strong run defense and it could take Jones out of the play.
On a screen, Jones would be breaking towards the quarterback and he would jump at a chance to hit the quarterback. But if Kirk Cousins can release the ball quickly enough and if the play is properly developed, then the Redskins could gain enough yards on the play to make it an effective strategy.
Of course, that would only work for so long. The team can?t constantly run screens towards Jones. So in addition to that, the team will have to establish a ground game and ensure that Samaje Perine can at least keep the Arizona defense honest. That will open up the play action portion of the playbook and that is one of Cousins? major strengths. He would be able to bait Jones into defending the run and would limit his chances to get a sack as a result.
It?s going to take a lot of effort to shut out Jones. With the right game plan, Jay Gruden can help the team to get it done and score him some brownie points that will help him to cool off his ever-warming seat.
Find a way to contain Ricky Seals-Jones over the middle of the field
The Redskins are going to be down a couple of key players at safety and linebacker on Sunday afternoon. For the first time this season, Zach Brown is going to be missing a game due to a laundry list of injuries that have limited him in recent weeks. In addition to his absence, rookie safety Montae Nicholson will miss his fourth straight game due to a concussion.
Due to the absence of these two players and the injuries that have ravaged the depth at the linebacker position, there is reason for concern in regards to the middle of the field. Often, Nicholson and Brown have been tasked with covering tight ends working over the middle of the field while Kendall Fuller continues his stellar play out of the slot. While that trio hasn?t always worked perfectly, it has generally been effective.
With both Nicholson and Brown out, the Redskins are going to have to figure out a different way to cover Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones. The former college receiver has had a major impact on the Arizona offense in recent weeks and Blaine Gabbert loves throwing to him. The Redskins have to find a way to limit him, and that could involve shifting coverage responsibilities. Maybe even the aforementioned Swearinger will see more responsibility in helping patrol the middle of the field.
At the end of the day, containing Seals-Jones will allow Washington to find some success on the defensive side of the ball. They have good matchups in many areas, but their major weakness is in the middle of the field. Expect Manusky to experiment with different coverages and if he can find something that works, he will employ it all day long.
