Redskins Reality Check: Realistic predictions for the team in Week 2 vs. Colts
By Tim Payne
1. Reality is, the Redskins secondary didn’t get tested much in Arizona.
Partially due to the effectiveness of the game plan, and partially due to how weak the Arizona passing attack appeared to be, the Redskins secondary wasn’t really tested much on Sunday. When they had their few opportunities, they tackled well, and Dunbar had a couple good pass break-ups along with the pick, but in general, they just weren’t tested by Sam Bradford.
I would be ecstatic if they play similarly against Andrew Luck as they did against Bradford. I would be disappointed if they get torched and let Luck have a similar day to what he had last week.
Prediction: Norman gives up at least one big play, Dunbar and Moreau remain solid, Swearinger gets one personal foul, Montae makes one painful mistake, and Luck ends up with 300-plus yards passing, three TDs and one interception.
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2. Reality is, the Redskins need more pressure on Andrew Luck than they got on Sam Bradford.
The team said in multiple interviews this week that the gameplan was to stop David Johnson, so they didn’t really blitz and they weren’t worried about only getting two sacks (and those basically in garbage time). But against below-average tackles, Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith didn’t get home to even hit Bradford much.
When the Redskins rush four, they need to get home occasionally. Certainly more than twice per game. I think it’s safe to say that Andrew Luck will do more with the time he’s given than Bradford did, so the OLB’s need to step up their game this week.
I would be ecstatic if Kerrigan and Smith each got two sacks the outside linebackers combined for five while the interior line contributed another one or two. I would be disappointed with another two-sack performance.
Prediction: Kerrigan and Smith have a field day against the underwhelming Colts tackles and end up with four sacks between them while the interior line struggles a bit more against the interior offensive line of Indy. Luck also burns the Redskins with a couple significant scrambles.