Redskins to have full starting offensive line vs. the Vikings
By Ian Cummings
For the first time since Week 7, all of the Redskins’ starters on the offensive line will be in the lineup to start the game.
Coming into the Redskins’ Week 10 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, four of the team’s five starters on the offensive line were questionable. But now, it appears as if the unit will be back together again, for the first time in three weeks, per ESPN’s John Keim.
The Redskins will have their starting offensive line for the first time since Week 7 at Philadelphia. The Redskins have averaged 4.07 yards per carry with their starting line. https://t.co/m8Ekj4WETQ
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 12, 2017
The return of the Hogs 2.0 is a pleasant surprise for today’s action. The Redskins’ offense functions much better when plays have time to develop, and over the past few weeks, they simply haven’t. This doesn’t mean all of the offensive linemen will be one hundred percent, and we could see a few hiccups along the way, but this is a nice development. Couple this with the fact that Everson Griffen is out for the Vikings, and suddenly, the outlook for the Redskins’ offense is much more positive.
There was buzz surrounding Arie Kouandjio’s efforts in relief of Shawn Lauvao last week against the Seahawks. But Kouandjio is among the inactives for today’s game, suggesting that the team believes Lauvao, along with the rest of their linemen, is healthy enough to stay in the game. Trent Williams was also rumored to be a game-time decision, but it appears as if he’ll play as well.
With the offensive line back up to full strength, the Redskins’ chances at winning this game are suddenly much better. For the past couple weeks, the offensive line has been a weakness that the team has been forced to game plan around. Now that the team’s starters are all healthy, the offense can unwind and open up a little bit.
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Nevertheless, they still face a tough test. The Minnesota Vikings are known for their vaunted defense, and even without one key player, they still have plenty others. This is shaping up to be an epic battle, and now that the Redskins have all five starting blockers on the field, it’s a battle they have a better chance of winning.