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Redskins Reality Check: Realistic predictions for the team in Week 5 vs. Saints

By Tim Payne

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins reacts with teammates offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75, quarterback Alex Smith #11 (back) and offensive tackle Morgan Moses #76 after scoring on a 13-yard run during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins reacts with teammates offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75, quarterback Alex Smith #11 (back) and offensive tackle Morgan Moses #76 after scoring on a 13-yard run during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Reality is, Chris Thompson was a non-factor against Green Bay…and that may not happen again in a Redskins win this season.

The Packers found ways to force Chris Thompson to stay in against the blitz rather than allowing him to release into patterns last game. This meant Thompson had his worst statistical day of the year (though he is very effective in pass protection).

The Redskins can’t afford to allow Thompson to be that uninvolved in the offense again this week if they expect to hang with the high-flying offense of the Saints. I’ll be looking to see what ways Jay Gruden and company gameplan to make sure Thompson is more available to be one of the focal points of the offense this week.

In addition, with this being the site of Thompson’s gruesome season-ending injury last year, there’s got to be a little extra motivation for him to have a great game to finally put that behind him.  He’ll also be working behind an O-line with Bergstrom at center and Roullier at LG, which, I would argue, is the best configuration the Redskins can field with their current roster.

We should expect that Jay Gruden wants Thompson more involved in the offense, and we should expect that he spent the bye week working on plans to make that happen. We should all be very disappointed if Thompson spends much of the day in on pass pro.

Prediction: With a bye week to prepare and scheme, and knowing how much Jay loves what Chris Thompson brings to this offense, I am predicting CT’s number to get called a bunch this week leading to 15 touches for 100-plus yards and a TD.

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