Redskins Challenge: Flight Marshals, it’s time to ‘Put up your Dukes’
The Redskins Flight Marshals look to make FedEx Field a no-fly zone for Matt Ryan and the Falcons on Sunday.
If the Washington Redskins are to defeat the Atlanta Falcons for the first time in 15 years, they’ll need the secondary to have its best game of the season. Overall, the Redskins defense as a whole will need to play their best game to date. The running game for the Falcons this season has been nonexistent. Injuries, however, have been a major reason why. Both starting guards Andy Levitre and Brandon Fusco have been placed on IR. Star running back Devonta Freeman has also been placed on IR.
As a result, the Falcons have the 30th (83.3 YPG) ranked rushing attack in the NFL. The passing offense has been the driving force for the Atlanta Falcons on offense. Quarterback Matt Ryan has been brilliant so far in 2018. He’s averaging 333.6 passing yards per game, which is tops in the NFL. He’s thrown for 2,335 yards, 15 touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding up to a 114.2 passer rating. What’s even more impressive is that he’s posting these numbers without much help from his offensive line. He was sacked 24 times in 2017. He’s already been sacked 20 times on the season; 10 of those sacks have occurred on the road.
The receiving core for the Falcons has carried the load offensively. Julio Jones is once again a statistically a top five receiver. Although he’s yet to somehow score a touchdown on the season that can change at any moment because of his big play ability. Jones’ 812 receiving yards are second in the NFL. He’s also averaging 116 receiving yards per game, which leads the league. His 53 catches rank fifth in the NFL. Rookie wideout Calvin Ridley has assumed the role of the No. 2 option for Matt Ryan. Ridley’s six touchdowns lead the Falcons. He also has 27 catches for 394 yards. Mohamed Sanu has also been productive with 24 catches, 324 yards, and three touchdowns.
The key for the defense will be pressure on Matt Ryan. He’s been sacked on seven percent of his passes according to Pro Football Reference. During the Redskins three-game winning streak, the defense has 13 sacks. The front of Ryan Kerrigan, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Matt Ioannidis should make life miserable for Ryan in the pocket. The secondary should receive a boost with the return of Quinton Dunbar. He’s missed the past two weeks with a shin injury but he should be available. The backend has to be better against the Falcons. They were exploited by the Saints nearly a month ago and Atlanta has a similar offense.
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With the addition of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Redskins are hoping to improve on their No. 13 ranked passing defense. Paired with D.J. Swearinger, both players are the perfect compliment to each other. Communication on the back end will be key. The Falcons can give the Redskins fits the same way the New Orleans Saints did nearly a month ago. So Flight Marshals, I challenge you all to ‘Put up your Dukes‘ provide lockdown coverage, and keep the high-powered Falcons offense in check.