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Previewing the Redskins Week 11 matchup with the Saints

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Redskins offense vs. Saints defense

Part of the reason for the remarkable Saints turnaround has been the performance of their defense. After allowing an average of 32.5 points in their first two games, the Saints have been incredibly good during their win streak. In the seven wins, they have allowed just 14.3 points per game, including a 38 point outlier in their victory over Detroit. Currently, their defense is No. 8 in the NFL in yards allowed per game. Dennis Allen deserves credit for the work he has done with the young unit.

Notably, the improved performance of the secondary has assisted the Saints in their rise to the top. Ken Crawley came out of nowhere to be the top corner for the New Orleans squad. Along with a pair of second round safeties in Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams, Crawley and the Saints have provided solid coverage and that has allowed them to contain opposing passers during their streak.

Kirk Cousins can’t be happy to hear that. Though Cousins has played relatively well over the course of the past month, he has made key mistakes against solid defenses. Last week against the Vikings, he threw a critical interception before halftime that led to a Vikings touchdown. If the Saints come to play, he may have trouble finding his receivers.

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    • If Cousins is to find any success against the Saints, it will be with his tight ends. Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder seem likely to be bottled up a bit more, though Crowder could be productive working the middle of the field. That said, Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed could be in for big games against the Saints linebackers.

    The Saints have some good run stopping linebackers in Manti Te’o and Craig Robertson, but the only proven cover man they have is Gerald Hodges. Though they have great safeties, the tight ends will more likely than not be able to find space over the middle on shallow routes and they will be able to generate YAC yards as a result. That is the way for the passing offense to attack the Saints to find success.

    For Washington, the run game is a bit less clear. The Saints have been susceptible to opposing running backs at times, but they bottled up both Doug Martin and LeSean McCoy in recent weeks. With Rob Kelley out for the season, Samaje Perine will see a brunt of the carries and it’s unknown how he will do. He will get a chance to get into a rhythm as the lead back against the Saints.

    One final area of the Saints defense to keep an eye on is the pass rush. Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins have provided solid push this season and they will give the Redskins line a bit of trouble. That said, the line appears to be fully healthy this week, so they should be able to hold their own and give Cousins time to throw. At the end of the day, the Saints have the advantage on defense, but the Redskins could win if they game plan right.

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