Washington Redskins: Previewing Preseason Week 3 Against Buffalo Bills
The Washington Redskins are going to get a good game out of the Buffalo Bills on Friday. Who will end up emerging victorious?
The Washington Redskins’ game against the Buffalo Bills on Friday night is going to be absolutely huge for the team. The Redskins are going to be deciding the results of some key position battles, and a matchup against a decent Buffalo team will give them a chance to test some of their strengths. It will also test their starters as we draw closer to the 2016 season.
The Redskins are essentially going to be deciding the winner of their backup running back job in this game. According to the Washington Redskins Twitter, Jay Gruden wants to get a good look at both of them.
Gruden says RB Keith Marshall and RB Robert Kelley will get their "fair share" of carries in #BUFvsWAS, wants to see both play.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 24, 2016
Of course, having Matt Jones out for the game will assist the team in getting a look at the backups. Though Jones’ injury is a problem for the team, it will have a minimal impact in the preseason. Provided that he can be back by Week 1 and stay healthy, the Redskins will actually stand to benefit from his banged up shoulder.
Elsewhere on offense, the team will get an extended look at Kirk Cousins for the first and last time this preseason. Cousins is going to get a test against the terrific Buffalo secondary, so it should be fun to see how he can do. Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore will probably be the best cornerback tandem that he has faced in his career. If Cousins can succeed against them, then it will reflect well on his chances to have a successful season.
The receivers will also get a test going up against the terrific secondary, and the game may be an opportunity for Ryan Grant to stand out. Both Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson will be out for Friday’s game, so Grant figures to be the third receiver on the day. He could end up doing well in the slot, it could move him up in the pecking order. That may end up coming at the expense of Pierre Garcon. Rashad Ross will also get a chance to contribute and he should be able to secure a roster spot with a good performance.
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Defensively, it is going to be a big day for the Skins’ pass rush. With Cordy Glenn out, the team will be able to feast on the competition at left tackle. If Ryan Kerrigan plays, he could sack the highly mobile Tyrod Taylor a couple of times. Preston Smith and Trent Murphy will also get a chance to rush the passer. Smith will get action against the uninspiring tandem or Jordan Mills and Seantrel Henderson. It would not be surprising to see them get a couple of sacks as well.
The secondary is also going to get a test, but in a different way. They will have to deal with Taylor’s big arm while Josh Norman will get a bit of a test from the speedy Sammy Watkins. Watkins may not play much due to the injuries he has dealt with this offseason, but he should give Norman his first real test of the preseason.
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Elsewhere, safety DeAngelo Hall will get tested in run support against the Bills’ potent attack. LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee will be carrying the load for the Bills, who sported the No. 1 rushing attack in the league last year. This will also be a good chance for the Redskins to see what they have in rookie hybrid linebacker Su’a Cravens. If he can help in run support, then he could make a case to start for the team.
Overall, the Redskins are going to have a tough matchup against the Bills. However, they should be a able take down the Bills in their third preseason game. Although preseason game s do not matter, seeing the Redskins win would still be encouraging.