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Redskins Reality Checks: Realistic predictions for Week 9 vs. Falcons

By Tim Payne

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Montae Nicholson #35 and Josh Norman #24 after intercepting a pass from Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Montae Nicholson #35 and Josh Norman #24 after intercepting a pass from Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Reality Is, the Redskins will not face a better pass-catching corps this season.

Between Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu, Tevin Coleman, Ito Smith, and Austin Hooper, the Falcons have, easily, the most impressive group of receivers and pass-catching backs the Redskins will face this year.

With the surprising addition of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the trade deadline, did the Redskins tip their hand that they aren’t happy with the play of Montae Nicholson so far this year? Did they indicate just how aware they are of the dangerous passing attack they are facing this coming week? I think this was a longer-term move, but I do think they are aware of the need to continue to shore up a secondary that is a few great plays by D.J. Swearinger and a couple turnovers from Josh Norman from being a major liability this season.

The Redskins will not shut down the passing attack of Atlanta. But if the Redskins are to pass the test this week and vault themselves into legitimate playoff contention, they need to find a way to limit Julio Jones and company.

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Prediction: The Redskins’ secondary will mostly hold up well against the Falcons’ aerial assault, but will have one busted coverage for a long touchdown. Bonus Prediction: Don’t be surprised if Clinton-Dix ends up with a big PBU or INT in this game.

5. Reality Is, Jordan Reed should be the focal point of the passing attack.

Against the Giants, Reed had 7 catches on 12 targets, but only managed 38 yards. While I applaud the Redskins’ concerted effort to get Reed the ball, it’s time to take it up a notch and find ways to get him involved in more high-leverage situations and for more chunk plays. In his weekly press conference, Alex Smith jumped all over a question about Reed, indicating how much more potential there is to use Reed in this offense. Check out what analytics guru Warren Sharp had to say this week about the Redskins’ use of Jordan Reed.

The Redskins do need to fix this…and they know it. I expect continued increases in Jordan’s high-leverage usage and overall effectiveness as long as he remains healthy.

Prediction: Jordan Reed feasts on the weak secondary of Atlanta, accumulating eight catches on 10 targets for 90 yards, one TD, and four first-down conversions on either third or fourth down.

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