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Redskins Reality Checks: Realistic predictions for Week 6 vs. the Panthers

By Tim Payne

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins rests on the bench during the second quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins rests on the bench during the second quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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2. Reality is, this is a key game for the Redskins’ offensive line.

The Panthers have mustered exactly the same number of sacks as the Redskins so far this season….a total of nine, including only one against the Giants’ porous offensive line and Eli “concrete shoes” Manning. If the offensive line can’t manage to give Alex Smith ample time in a clean pocket against Carolina, he may be in for a really long year.

Trent Williams is another week removed from surgery, and they will either get Lauvao back and be at full strength, or this will be the third start together for the Williams, Roullier, Bergstrom, Scherff, Moses combination. In either case, they should be able to clean up the communication, get on the same page, and put together a solid performance against a Carolina pass rush that has been among the worst in the league so far this year.

The offensive line got embarrassed against New Orleans.  They committed penalties, they whiffed on blocks and they missed assignments, leaving the team regularly behind the sticks and unable to get into any type of rhythm.

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My theory is that the number of pressures, sacks, and hits they gave up on the first three drives of the game led to much of Alex Smith’s inaccuracy and skittishness. He has to be able to overcome adversity more effectively, but he should demand more from the OLine as well.

We should all expect this unit to perform better than last week and to get their rhythm back.

Prediction: This O-Line is a proud bunch. They will clean up their mistakes and put together their best game of the season against the Panthers.

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