WASHINGTON — The Redskins face yet another tough test this week on the road as Cam Newton and the 9-0 Panthers are waiting on Sunday. Washington is 4-5 on the year but 0-4 away from FedEx Field.
The Skins find themselves right in the thick of things in the NFC East, and have a chance to make some noise with home games against the Giants and Cowboys coming up in the next two weeks. A win this week would be a huge lift heading into the game against the Giants. A good, encouraging performance that ends in a loss is still OK heading into the match up with New York, but a performance like they had in New England would not be a good thing. They have to be ready to play from the opening kickoff on Sunday. Here are some things to watch for this week:
Cam Newton and the Panthers’ offense
Another MVP candidate awaits the Redskins on Sunday. Newton presents a different challenge than Tom Brady or Drew Brees. He uses his size — he’s 6-foot-5, 245 pounds — to make things difficult for defenses. But he’s a big quarterback that can also run, leading all quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns and 366 rushing yards. Jay Gruden knows he’s a threat whenever he’s on the field and something the defense needs to be aware of.
The Panthers’ biggest receiving threat is tight end named Greg Olsen. He has 45 receptions this year, five for touchdowns.
New look Redskins secondary
The Redskins experimented with a new look last week, and a new position for DeAngelo Hall. Hall, traditionally a cornerback, played a little last week at safety, and Jay Gruden said their week that we could see more it. He also said that Hall isn’t done at corner, but right now with Culliver and Breeland playing very well at corner, might as well get DeAngelo on the field as much as possible. This is a move that can only help the Redskins, especially with a pretty good offense on Sunday.
We’ve seen others do it and prolong their careers – just look at Charles Woodson in Oakland. With Trenton Robinson out this week with a hamstring injury, expect to see more of Hall.
Good Cousins vs. bad Cousins
Kirk Cousins is coming off the best game of his career. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his four-touchdown, 324-yard performance last week against the Saints. He also had a perfect passer rating in the game.
But Cousins’ game comes down to turnovers, as we’ve seen all year. The numbers don’t lie. In his four wins this year, Cousins has thrown nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. In the five losses? Five touchdowns and nine interceptions. You see where I’m going with this?
He will have some chances on Sunday for sure, but will also have to be aware of where cornerback Josh Norman is at all times. He has four interceptions this year. On the opposite side, Charles Tillman is listed as doubtful.
Running game
Last week the Redskins’ running game returned to form with 209 total rushing yards led by 92 on 15 carries from Alfred Morris. Carolina’s defense is pretty good against the run giving up only 103 yards a game and 4.1 a carry. If the running game can build on last week’s effort, it should take some pressure off Cousins.
NFC East matchups looming
The Redskins have a very good opportunity over the next three weeks to make their case that they belong in the playoffs conversation. After this weekend, they come home to face the Giants, then the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
But the Redskins absolutely have to start fast on Sunday.They need to be ready to play from the beginning and can’t have a start like they did against New England on the road, where the Patriots scored 14 points and the Redskins ran just one play from scrimmage in the first quarter. If this team wants to make its case then winning on the road is a must. There’s no better week to get your first win then against the unbeaten Carolina Panthers.
