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Redskins X-Factors for the second half of the 2018 season

By Ian Cummings

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins stands in the tunnel before the game against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins stands in the tunnel before the game against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 30: Free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #21 of the Green Bay Packers is introduced to the NFL game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 26-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 30: Free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #21 of the Green Bay Packers is introduced to the NFL game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 26-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (and D.J. Swearinger)

When a team makes a move for a defensive starter in the middle of the season, giving up draft assets in the process, it’s because they want to win now. It’s because they can win now.

The Redskins can win now, and their 5-2 start, which has them clinging to a 1.5 game lead in the NFC East, has made that very clear. Despite this, however, the offense has struggled to find its footing, and while it continues to improve, the defense must continue to play at a high level. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix should be able to help with that.

But why is Clinton-Dix an X-Factor? Why not D.J. Swearinger, who’s made a case to be a top five safety in the league this year? Why not Quinton Dunbar, whose presence has been missed in the secondary over the past few weeks? Why not Josh Norman, who is re-energized coming off a game in which he locked down Odell Beckham?

Related Story. Redskins defense needed embarrassing Saints loss to recalibrate. light

The answer may be somewhat intangible, but it’s fairly simple: Team chemistry is at stake with the Redskins’ signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The secondary has been playing with great chemistry as of late, and one worry in the midst of the trade deadline was that an acquisition would disrupt this. Clinton-Dix is a smart player, and a high-quality player with a Pro Bowl under his belt. But even he may need time to adjust.

If Clinton-Dix can hit the ground running in D.C., however, then he and Swearinger could make for one of the league’s top safety tandems right off the bat. With just nine games left, Clinton-Dix doesn’t have an excess amount of time. That’s what makes the Redskins’ newest Flight Marshal a unique X-Factor along with D.J. Swearinger in the coming weeks.

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