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Redskins vs. Texans: Week 11 offense and defense matchups, score prediction

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins in action against Tae Davis #58 of 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: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins in action against Tae Davis #58 of 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) /

Redskins offense vs. Texans defense

The Redskins offense has sputtered throughout most of the season. When they can’t run the ball, their passing game hasn’t been able to do much to help their team move down the field. That will have to change against the Texans.

The Texans have been pretty good against the run this year, and they rank sixth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. Their pass defense is more middle-of-the-pack, and their corners can be beaten.

Josh Doctson will be one of the keys in this matchup. In all likelihood, Kareem Jackson will match up with him. Jackson hasn’t been great in coverage this year, and Doctson is emerging as a TD threat for the ‘Skins. If there was ever a time for Alex Smith to consistently look his way, this would be the game, as Doctson could make a big difference and open things up for the run game.

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Speaking of that, Adrian Peterson is going to have a tough time finding space — as mentioned earlier — but he shouldn’t be counted out. Provided that the Redskins are able to get him the ball early and keep the game close on the defensive side of the ball, Peterson will have a chance to be effective. He doesn’t need to notch 100 yards to help the offense. He just needs to move the ball when he gets the chance.

All that said, the biggest key to this game will be the performance of the offensive line. They held up well enough against the Buccaneers last week, but they are still going with three starters in Ty Nsekhe, Tony Bergstrom, and Jonathan Cooper that were either backups or in Cooper’s case, not even on the team. They will need to keep Smith upright, or the offense won’t have a chance to get going at all. And against J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus, that won’t be easy.

On this side of the ball, it’s going to be difficult for the Redskins to win. They just may be overmatched in the trenches, so that will make it difficult for them to move the ball. And as a result, they may have trouble reaching 20 points on the day.

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