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3 Keys to victory for Redskins vs. Broncos in NFL Week 16

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 15: Tackle Donald Stephenson #79 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the sidelines during the pre-season NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 15, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 34-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 15: Tackle Donald Stephenson #79 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the sidelines during the pre-season NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 15, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 34-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Attack Donald Stephenson to get into the backfield

Donald Stephenson is starting for the Broncos right now. That is not good news for the team. As I pointed out in my matchups to watch from earlier in the week, Stephenson was supposed to be a backup but that hasn’t gone exactly to plan. And that has been bad news for the Broncos.

"Stephenson has not been a very good tackle for the Broncos. He came to the team in the 2016 offseason as a potential starter or a swing tackle. He spent most of his time at right tackle and played very poorly. Midway through the season, he was benched and he came into the 2017 campaign as a backup. An injury to Menelik Watson has since forced him into action, but he has not performed well."

So, it would be a smart idea for the Redskins to make him one of their focuses on the defensive side of the ball. There’s no reason that Ryan Kerrigan and the pass rush shouldn’t be able to make his life miserable. Additionally, pushing back against him in the run game will be key.

The one way that the Broncos might have a chance of beating the Redskins on offense would be to establish a run game. C.J. Anderson has performed well in recent weeks, but Washington should realistically be able to slow him down. That will start with gaining penetration into the backfield on the right side of the line. So, Stephenson is the logical target for the defense.

If Kerrigan and company can get into the backfield early and often, that should rattle the Broncos quarterback. And if they can gain penetration on run plays, that will force extra passes that won’t go well if the quarterback’s composure is non-existent.

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