September 23, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs past Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) during the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Bengals defeated the Redskins 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

It’s early Sunday morning and if you look outside at FedEx field, you would think the Redskins are about to play a night game. The dark, gloomy and slightly wet morning setting is bringing up questions about how our team is approaching preparing for the contest versus the Falcons. Last week in Tampa, Meriweather and Robinson were injured in a freak pre-game accidental collision, so I would assume that warm ups are going to be very timid and extra cautious. Will this affect the Redskins coming out focused and ready to play? Will the idea of the top team in the NFC rolling into FedEx rattle the young rookie phenoms? Will the high powered Falcons offense add extra pressure on the Redskins defense and have them trying too hard to make plays? Or…

September 23, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Bengals defeated the Redskins 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

…have the Redskins finally transformed into a legitimate contender? Have the young Redskins developed into a squad with no fear? Did the battle to not let the Tampa game slip away transform Griffin III into Tom Brady mode? Will Alfred Morris continue to reach the end zone and show the world that his swing is good enough to be in the starting line up for the Nationals? Was last week a turning point for the Redskins to believe Griffin III when he says,”Hey, don’t worry, I got you!”

Waking up this morning I had a different feeling that I haven’t felt in a long time. I didn’t feel nervous or doubtful that the Skins would show up ready to play. I didn’t feel like winning this game would be a long shot at all, in fact I felt quite confident that the Redskins would get this win in convincing fashion. My prediction for today’s game will be a little different than most foresee. I sense the Redskins defense put in extra work this week and will show up all game, stopping Matt Ryan on the final drive of the game to seal the deal. I don’t like the chances of Griffin III having a stellar game in his first rain game. I see 2 of his 3 interceptions coming from passes slipping through receivers hands and the 3rd coming from him trying to make a big play when it’s not there. This week it will be the defense saying,” Hey Griff, don’t worry we got you!” This is going to be very vital for the Redskins success coming up on the trade deadline and moving into the 2nd half of the season. I don’t think anybody wants Snyder to pull the trigger and make a mid season trade to potentially mess up what ever togetherness has been formed unless it brings in a young crafty defender that we can keep around and make a career Redskin.

Final Stat line:

R. Griffin III – 20/32 320 yds. 2 TDs 3 INTs, 14 rushes 90 yds 1 TD

A. Morris – 22 rushes 135 yds 1 TD

S. Moss – 9 rec. 160 yds 2 TDs

D. Hall – 2 INTs (including the game winning INT) that will be the cover of the Washington Post with Hall pointing to the sky on his knees.

September 30, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) reacts after he intercepted the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

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Sep 30, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in action against the against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE

Is the general consensus among Falcons fans that this is the easiest game they have had on their schedule so far?

WH: I wouldn’t say that at all. I think the Falcons felt their easiest game was going to be the contest against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina had looked awful in its last game on Thursday Night Football, so I think the Falcons absolutely overlooked them. After that, I think the Falcons learned their lesson about having an ‘easy’ opponent. The Washington Redskins won’t be an easy challenge. Containing RGIII and scoring on the road will be a challenge they will not underestimate.

Matt Ryan is already being mentioned in the same sentences as MVP.  What, if anything, have you noticed that is different about him?

WH: Just his decisiveness. A lot was made about his increased strength training, and people were hoping it would help on deep passes. He’s always had a strong arm, but the strength training certainly didn’t hurt that attribute. But his decisiveness in the passing game has been the major difference. He sees his receiver open, he cuts the ball loose and trusts what he’s seeing and trusts his play makers to do what they do. Even if receivers are covered, he isn’t afraid to throw to his other receivers who are open, something he didn’t do much in the past. His decisiveness has been great so far.

The Falcons defense looks better this year thus far.  What is the key to the Falcons playing better defense?

WH: New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. The Falcons have some good play makers at all three defensive levels, but in the past they were resigned to playing a soft, vanilla Cover-2 defense. Nolan isn’t doing anything too exotic, but he is allowing the defenders to move around pre-snap, which confuses opposing offenses, and it really helps everyone go out and simply make plays. Giving more freedom to the players while keeping fairly simple defenses is really the key.

Tony Gonzalez is getting towards the end of his career and has mentioned this might be his last year.  Is he still playing at a Pro-Bowl level?

WH: I would say so. 26 receptions, 265 yards, 3 touchdown grabs? He may not be your #1 with a bullet Pro-Bowl selection, but he certainly belongs in the conversation. He doesn’t have a huge yards per catch average (only 10.2), but he is second to none in the red-zone and when getting to the first down marker and just making the catch. He isn’t a monster, but he makes good things happen.

With Oakland coming into Atlanta next week, then the bye, are the Falcons resting on their laurels and ready to be surprised this week?  How do you think the game will go?

WH: Absolutely not. I think the Falcons had a mini trap game last week against Carolina. This team almost got surprised and beaten, but if they take it one week at a time, which they will, they should be fine. There is no way they ‘rest on their laurels’. What laurels? There are still 12 games left in the season. Now they may lose this game outright. But it won’t be because they are overlooking the Redskins.

I say both teams mover the ball really well, the Falcons just are able to confuse Griffin one more time or come up with one more stop. Falcons 31- Redskins 24

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