5 bold predictions for Redskins vs. Texans in NFL Week 11
3. D.J. Swearinger leads the team in tackles and gets a pick in a revenge game
Remember when Swearinger was considered to be the next great safety in Houston? And remember when he was unceremoniously released in his second year? Even if you don’t, Swearinger does.
It’s clear that Swearinger harbors resentment for how quickly the Texans gave up on him. The former second-round pick only lasted two seasons before being cut, but he has turned into one of the better safeties in the league. He’s been a great playmaker this year and while he occasionally makes mistakes, he has still been more than solid. And in this contest, he will be ready to play his best game of the year.
Our own Ian Cummings described the importance of this game to Swearinger in his analysis of the top five players to watch in this week’s contest. Here’s what he said in that piece.
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"Swearinger has been vocal about his time in Houston, and how it turned from promising to toxic in only a year, when Gary Kubiak’s regime was replaced by Bill O’Brien’s. Swearinger didn’t last long under O’Brien; personal differences led in part to his premature release and bust labeling. It would take several years for Swearinger to regain his footing, but when he did, he found a supposedly permanent home in Washington D.C., and this season, he’s been playing close to an All-Pro level, more than true to his second-round billing. Against the Texans, Swearinger will be as motivated as ever to make the plays he needs to notch redemption on an organization that taught him how to grow up the hard way. Few things this year have been more exciting to watch than a motivated Swearinger. The Redskins’ best defensive player will be fired up this weekend, and they’ll need him to be."
That desire to perform well and show up O’Brien and his staff will certainly motivate Swearinger in this game. He will be flying all over the field trying to make plays throughout the day. He should be able to grab another interception and will have a great chance to lead the team in tackles if he can show the energy that most think he will when out on the field.
Swearinger could get double-digit tackles, break up a few passes, and grab a pick. It’s going to be a lot of fun to see what he can do, but he should easily be able to beat whatever matchup O’Brien throws his way in Week 11.