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5 players to watch in Redskins vs. Colts in NFL Week 2

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Ioannidis emerged last season as a very good pass rusher. In the season opener this year, he looked even better.

Ioannidis was one of the two Redskins players to notch a sack against the Cardinals (the other being Ryan Anderson). When on the field, Ioannidis was able to generate a ton of pressure. He clearly benefitted from the stronger defensive line rotation, and opposing teams couldn’t focus solely on him. As a result, he was able to collapse the pocket from the interior and do some damage.

The Colts have a much stronger interior line than they used to thanks to the additions of Quenton Nelson and Matt Slauson. Those two will help make Ioannidis’ life a bit more difficult, but the Temple product won’t give up easily. He’ll still fight as hard as he can to break through and add another sack to his season total.

Next. Redskins vs. Colts matchups, score prediction. dark

This game should be a nice test for Ioannidis. If he can break through the interior line of the Colts on multiple occasions, then he will establish himself as one of the better young interior pass rushers in the league. And if not, then he will just have to continue to grow. Either way, there should be some excitement and buzz about Ioannidis going into Week 2.

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