Redskins Reality Checks Week 10: Where does the team stand heading to Tampa?
By Tim Payne
3. The Reality Is, Adrian Peterson hasn’t had back-to-back bad games all season.
Adrian Peterson has gained 96, 20, 120, 6, 97, 99, 149, and 17 yards rushing in the Redskins’ eight games so far this season. Each time he’s had a sub-par performance, he’s bounced back the following week.
Is that because of scheme or fit? Maybe. Is it because of game situations? Some.
Is it because he’s a proud athlete who simply refuses to be held down in consecutive contests? That’s my vote. I think his work ethic, savvy and drive make it very unlikely that he allows one down week to turn into two straight.
Tampa Bay gives up over 100 yards per game on the ground. An underrated issue this week, though, is chemistry between Peterson and all these new offensive linemen. I’ll be on the lookout for how the line blocks for AP, and I’ll be on the lookout for how much he trust them to handle their blocks inside, rather than simply bouncing plays outside all game.
Prediction: The Redskins find themselves in a bit more of a shootout than expected, Kapri Bibbs gets more touches than AP, and AP has more receiving yards than rushing yards.