Redskins - Patriots Preview

Redskins - Patriots Preview


(NB: Maybe just to piss off John and Kyle, but I will be writing a Redskins gameday preview every week.)

Tom Brady and the Patriots are coming to FedEx, and honestly this should be a blood bath.  I was up at the game a few years ago in Foxboro where the Patriots absolutely destroyed the 'Skins.  I don't think it will be as bad as 52-7 this time around, but it will be bad.

Key Matchups


Skins Secondary vs. Patriots receivers. The big question here is who's gonna stop Wes Welker?  The answer, no one.  Welker in the slot is a matchup from hell.  If Barnes ends up on him, it's game over; though, frankly, I doubt Deangelo Hall and Josh Wilson would fair much better.

Gronk/Hernandez vs. LB's and Safeties.  Again, matchup nightmare for just about any defense. Gronkowski is doing record-setting things this year, and Hernandez is an unbelievably versatile TE too.  OJ Atogwe should be able to hold is own, but "holding your own" against Gronkowski this year isn't saying much.  Doughty, on the other hand, has no chance of limiting anything that these guys do.  Look for the Patriots to absolutely expose him.

The Skins Pass Rush vs. The Pats Oline.  The Redskins have one of the better pass rushes in the league.  Kerrigan and Orakpo are animals with non-stop motors who have been wreaking havoc on QBs all year.  The problem is that the Patriots have one of the best offensive lines around.  I've watched Brady on numerous occasions this year literally stand in the pocket for extended periods of time.  However, if Orakpo and Kerrigan have a great day, look for the Patriots to be slowed down a little bit....just a tiny bit.

The Skins Offense vs. The Pats Defense.  So this is pretty interesting.  Belichick is known for his defenses, right? But the Patriots haven't really been playing too much defense the past few years.  I know there's an argument to be made for what they're trying to accomplish defensively.  As in, teams are moving the ball with ease on them, but they do force a lot of turnovers.  The problem with that philosophy this year, is that teams are getting into the endzone against the Patriots defense when they aren't forcing turnovers.

Too bad the Redskins won't be doing that.  With the suspensions of Trent Williams and Fred Davis, the few bright spots of this miserable offense will be MIA.  The offensive line has struggled tremendously without the anchor and best player out of the lineup, so it should be even more of a disaster versus an intricate Belichick pass rushing scheme.  And, of course, Alligator Arms Grossman will most likely throw 7,000 interceptions.

At the end of the day, the Redskins have one of the best defenses in the league. Top 5 in my opinion, and theres plenty of statistical evidence to back that up.  They're healthy with the exception of Landry, and London Fletcher is ageless. For that reason, you have to give the Redskins a chance of pulling something out in most games.  This game is not the case.  The Patriots have too much offensive firepower, and the Redskins offense, minus Davis and Williams won't be able to do anything.

Positive Notes - 1) Roy Helu has been awesome to watch in his rookie year, and he should impress this Sunday too; 2) The Redskins linebackers always play well, always play hard - Fletcher, Orakpo, and Kerrigan are great players.

Final Score: Patriots 34, Redskins 1