Redskins X-Factors for the second half of the 2018 season
By Ian Cummings
No. 5 – The Redskins offensive line
I thought of at least three offensive linemen to be the fifth X-Factor in this piece, but I was unable to hone in on one option above the others. Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff are obvious candidates, but in reality, the entire unit has to continue to keep the skill players clean in the coming weeks.
The importance of the offensive line for any offense is drastically underrated on a weekly basis, throughout the NFL. Offenses with all the talent in the world can look completely dysfunctional if their front five isn’t solidified. The inverse is also true: An uninspiring offense can be elevated by an elite line.
Early on in the 2018 season, the Redskins experienced inconsistent play from their blocking unit. An injury to Shawn Lauvao, which forced Chase Roullier to move to left guard for a short while, didn’t help matters. But for the past couple weeks, Washington’s line has been playing at a very high level, and it’s been evidenced with Adrian Peterson’s consistent success running the football.
Alex Smith will need to continue to gain chemistry with his receivers for Jay Gruden’s offense to take the next step, and if he doesn’t get better, perhaps Gruden will have to change things up, to better acclimate to Smith’s style. But no matter what happens behind them, there’s nothing left for the Redskins line to do besides maintain their current level of play. Led by Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff, All-Pro caliber players at their respective positions, Washington’s line is an X-Factor on its own.