The Redskins aim to finish their NFC South series on a high note on Sunday.
Last weekend, against the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Redskins folded at home, giving up an uncharacteristic amount of yards to Matt Ryan and Co. This weekend, in enemy territory, they’ll have to flip the script.
At 5-3, the Redskins are still a game ahead in the NFC East, but with the Eagles facing a favorable matchup against the Cowboys in Week 10, that lead can dissipate in seconds.
The Redskins must be the bearers of fate in Week 10, and against a Buccaneers with clear flaws, they can will themselves to a much-needed victory, gaining needed momentum to embark on a playoff run.
Of course, it’s far easier said than done. That’s why, this weekend, certain players must step up to ensure a Redskins victory. Those players number far more than five, but there are five who demand a particular kind of attention. Turn the page to find out who they are.
No. 5 – WR Maurice Harris
Two weeks ago, Maurice Harris was stuck in the NFL bubble of obscurity. He’s flashed on occasion, but Week 9 may have been the opportunity he needed to burst onto the scene, and stay there.
Harris waste of only a few bright spots in the Redskins 38-14 loss to the Falcons, earning a role as Alex Smith’s favorite target. He amassed 124 yards on ten catches, carving out a role for himself in an understaffed offense.
Harris’ emergence was unexpected, but perhaps it shouldn’t have been. Washington was desperately searching for a breakout receiver in their anemic offense, and Harris, with his all-around reliability, fits the bill for Smith.
In the team’s upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Redskins could find themselves again in a high-scoring affair, and this time, they can’t fall behind. The makeshift offensive line might be a blessing in disguise; the Redskins won’t be able to fall back to their run game. They’ll have to come out throwing, and Maurice Harris has suddenly become a focal point of the passing attack.
No. 4 – DL Jonathan Allen
Early in a promising career for a promising first-round talent, last Sunday was not a good showing for Jonathan Allen.
The Alabama product was manhandled by the Falcons’ backup offensive guards. It was a showing very uncharacteristic of Allen, who had been a near dominant force on Washington’s defensive line in earlier weeks.
Bad games happen. They happen to the best of us. Now, in Week 10, Allen will be tasked with responding against a fairly formidable Buccaneers’ offensive line. And with the secondary going up against a top-tier receiving core, Allen will have to be at his best, applying pressure up the middle. Matt Ioannidis can’t do it all on his own.
No. 3 – LG Jonathan Cooper
After the injuries to the Redskins offensive line, it was known that a newcomer could very well start in the team’s next game. ESPN’s John Keim said on Twitter recently that Jonathan Cooper is expected to start at left guard, so we can start to connect the dots.
Nothing is set in stone quite yet, and with Washington’s situation up in the air at both guard slots, anything is on the table for Cooper. That said, he’ll play a role in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay no matter what, as the team’s depth at guard now runs through him.
Cooper, a former top ten pick, has recent starting experience. He started 13 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, and entered 2018 with a seemingly safe spot on the San Francisco 49ers’ roster. His work in the offseason ultimately wasn’t good enough, however, and the 49ers released him on September 1.
Having gone without a job for two months, Cooper will need some time to get back in shape and get up to speed, something the Redskins might not have time for at this point. Cooper will get considerable action before he’s truly ready, and for the sake of the offense, he has to, more or less, stand his ground.
No. 2 – CB Josh Norman
Julio Jones got his first touchdown of the 2018 season against Josh Norman. Norman hasn’t been bad this season, certainly not as bad as the regression narrative makes it seem.
That said, Norman is an important piece of the defense, especially at this time in the season; the offense has shown that shootouts are a no-go. Thus, Norman holds a key occupation, limiting opposing offenses’ top receiving weapons to the best of his ability.
Against the Buccaneers, Norman will face another high-quality threat in Mike Evans. Norman has to be on top of his game, and with both Quinton Dunbar and Greg Stroman coming into Week 10 with lingering injuries, Norman may take an disproportional weight on his shoulders, come Sunday.
No. 1 – FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The 2019 fourth-round pick given up to acquire Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from the Green Bay Packers will never seem like a steep price, but the former Pro Bowl safety was brought to D.C. to make plays in the secondary. As he grows more acclimated with the scheme, he will be expected to meet those expectations, in some capacity.
Against the Buccaneers, Clinton-Dix will have early and ample opportunity to do so. Tampa Bay’s passing offense is No. 1 in the league, from a yardage standpoint, boasting a receiving core that mirrors Washington’s as one of the best in the NFL.
Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, and Chris Godwin make for an impressive, versatile tandem. Factor in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard at the tight end position, and you have an offense fully stocked with playmaking talents, all beautifully tied together by upstart offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Of course, there is one flaw with Tampa Bay’s passing offense: Their quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick is fearless, and at his best, his play is tantamount to magic. But Fitzpatrick’s recklessness can create opportunities for the defense, and that is where Clinton-Dix, the center fielder, must capitalize on Sunday. He will be the last line of defense for Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, and if the Buccaneers’ receivers live up to their billing, he will be needed.