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Redskins Game Day: How the team can beat the Colts in NFL Week 2

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 10: Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins gets to quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers and forces an incomplete pass on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 10: Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins gets to quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers and forces an incomplete pass on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

2. Generate a pass rush to limit Colts offense

The Colts offense runs through one thing and one thing only: Andrew Luck. If Luck isn’t in rhythm, the Colts entire team will struggle as they did for much of the 2018 season with Jacoby Brissett at the helm.

That said, the Redskins are coming off a strong performance against the Cardinals, but their pass rush wasn’t as potent as it has been in the past. Ryan Kerrigan and company didn’t generate quite as much pressure as usual, though that could be chalked up to the team making every attempt to stop David Johnson and the run game.

Either way, Washington’s pass rush seems poised for a breakout game. It’s rare to see a strong unit put up consecutive duds, and the Colts represent a good bounce-back opportunity.

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As I said in a recent piece, the Redskins pass rush has to step up in this game, especially when considering the injuries that the Colts are dealing with on the offensive line.

"With [Anthony Castonzo and J’Marcus Webb off] the field, Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith are going to have a huge opportunity to rack up some sacks. They are athletic and physical mismatches for the two Colts starters, and each racking up a sack or two is not out of the question. If they can consistently get pressure on Luck, then the Colts offense will be rendered mostly ineffective, so this will be one of the keys to starting the season 2-0. This will game will be a defining moment for Washington’s pass rush and young defensive line. It will be interesting to see if they can step up and expose the biggest current weakness that the Colts have on their roster at both tackle positions. If they can, a victory should be easy to achieve."

If there’s one easy way to ensure that the Redskins defense will have a good chance to win the matchup with the Colts offense, it’s to get pressure. I expect that Greg Manusky knows this, and he will probably do everything he can to get pressure on the Colts early and often in this contest. Expect an aggressive game plan on defense, and don’t be surprised to see the ‘Skins notch a lot of sacks.

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