Redskins vs. Colts: Week 2 offense and defense matchups, score prediction
Redskins offense vs. Colts defense
The Redskins offense used a game plan that involved a heavy ground attack and plenty of passing to running backs and tight ends against the Cardinals. And it worked. Against the Colts, they should have a chance to find similar success.
The Colts had no answer for Joe Mixon in their first game against the Bengals. They couldn’t really contain the Cincinnati passing attack either, as A.J. Green was able to torch them on occasion and Andy Dalton moved the ball well. They just don’t match up well with many opponents, and that includes the Redskins.
In the run game, Adrian Peterson should be able to find success much like Mixon did. His patient, balanced, power-based running should allow him to grind out tough yards and find open space against the Colts. With solid blocking from a line that lacks a true weak spot outside of Shawn Lauvao, the Redskins should be able to pave the way for him and execute their gameplan.
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Aside from Peterson, Jordan Reed and Chris Thompson will continue to operate as the non-traditional top pass-catching weapons. Reed will work the middle of the field and be a mismatch nightmare for the Colts linebackers and defensive backs. Meanwhile, Thompson’s explosive ability will allow him to outrun the Colts weaker linebacker corps when he gets into the second level. That could open up opportunities for him to break another long game.
The big question for Week 2 is as follows: will the Washington receivers get more involved? Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, and Paul Richardson didn’t do much as Alex Smith heavily targeted backs and tight ends while spreading the ball around.
This week, look for Smith to develop chemistry with at least one of them to ensure that they can move the ball without having to rely too heavily on the RBs and TEs. Against the Colts, Crowder might be the best matchup because of his overall versatility, but Richardson’s deep speed could make him a threat as well. Either way, the Redskins would benefit from getting more players involved in the passing attack.
The Colts just don’t have many quality defenders, and few have name recognition at this point. The Redskins should easily handle them and could break 30 points in their second game of the season.