By: Steven Dilsizian
After the website had been overhauled and redesigned, we are back on track with the NFC East leading Washington Redskins (6-7) hosting the Buffalo Bills (6-7) this Sunday at 1 PM.
Washington heads home for their matchup this weekend after capturing their first road victory of the season against the Chicago Bears, in a game that the Redskins could not afford to lose. Now as the burgendy and gold sit atop the division standings, they cannot afford to lose any of the last 3 games of the season if they want to make it into the playoffs. Redskins? Playoffs? Shocking to all of us, I know, but this Sunday could make it or break it for Washington.
This week solely depends on the Buffalo offense against the Redskins defense.
The Buffalo Bills come off of a tough loss at the Philadelphia Eagles, looking to turn things around for a possible wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. This weekend, the Bills know that RB LeSean McCoy can do damage to a Redskins defense that has had trouble with stopping the run for most of the season. QB Tyrod Taylor also has the capability to run with the ball himself, making this Bills offense a bit more versatile than the Redskins defense has had to face recently. Buffalo averages 355 yards per game with 141 coming from the ground game. Once the Bills establish the run and force defense’s to respect Taylor’s ability to scramble, the play-action pass can make for a big play and specifically to WR Sammy Watkins. Watkins has been hot in the past couple weeks and is becoming a force to reckon with throughout the league as he has 4 receiving touchdowns in his past 3 games.
On the other side of things, Washington has continued to improve every single week on both sides of the ball. That weak run defense? In the past 3 games, Washington has allowed a total of 51 rushing yards to the Giants, 97 yards to the Cowboys, and 87 yards to the Bears this past week. This was a team that was one of the worst in the league in stopping the run and have suddenly found some success. The key for this week is to continue this newfound success. If the Redskins can limit McCoy and the run game for Buffalo, they have a good shot at coming out with the W.
Players to watch:
LeSean McCoy (BUF): McCoy is one of the most explosive backs in the entire league and one of the toughest to stop. However, McCoy has been less effective this season compared to previous years and has failed to reach the end zone in the past 3 weeks. If given enough carries, McCoy has a good chance to put together a solid outing this week against Washington (24th in run defense).
Buffalo Defensive Line: Led by DE Justin Hughes and Mario Williams, the Bills have arguably one of the best defensive lines in the league and can get to the QB almost at will. Williams and Hughes both have 4 sacks on the season and with Marcell Dareus on the inside, they are able to collapse the pocket for any QB very quickly. The Redskin’s offensive line has a tough challenge against Hughes and company this weekend.
Jordan Reed (WSH): When healthy, Reed can be one of the most effective TE’s in the game. This season, Reed ranks 4th in most touchdowns by a TE (7) and continues to be one the best offensive weapons for the Redskins. Reed is a safety blanket for Cousins specifically on 3rd down and in red zone situations. He totaled 9 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown last week in Chicago, look for Reed to try and do the same to the Bills.
Bashaud Breeland (WSH): Breeland was given the task of covering the Bears #1 WR in Alshon Jeffery last week who ended with 6 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. This week he is given the task of covering Sammy Watkins who has been on a tear the past 3 weeks. The Redskins must prevent the big play this weekend and it starts with this matchup. If Breeland can contain Watkins, the Redskins should be able to take care of the rest.
Prediction: Redskins 20 Bills 17
Picture Credit:https://thefantasygreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/icon_23967998.jpg
