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Redskins Reality Checks: Team has a lot on the line with Texans coming to town

By Tim Payne

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball for a nine yard gain during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball for a nine yard gain during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons heads for the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown catch and run in the first quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons heads for the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown catch and run in the first quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Reality Is, the Redskins have struggled to stop the run two weeks in a row.

After largely shutting down the likes of David Johnson, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott earlier in the season, the Redskins’ rush defense has struggled the last two weeks to contain Tevin Coleman and Peyton Barber, allowing them to rush for 6.7 and 4.7 yard per carry, respectively. Both the Falcons and the Buccaneers used more outside zone runs to attack the edges, as well as double-teams on Payne and Allen in the interior.

The Redskins need to find a way to counteract those adjustments and truly shut down the run game this week against Lamar Miller and company. Miller has cracked 100 yards twice in the Texans’ last three games and is a key to Houston’s play-action game being effective. If the D-line can more effectively shut him down, it will allow the safeties to play more deep coverage against the Texans’ prolific pass attack.

I’ll be watching to see how the Redskins tackle this week. I’ll be watching to see if they’re able to set the edge and force inside runs. I’ll be watching to see if the Redskins’ defensive line is able to control to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Prediction: The Texans, who don’t specialize in outside zone runs, will struggle to get the ground game going, with their running backs rushing for less than 90 yards and under 4.0 ypc.

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