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Redskins vs. Texans: 5 keys to victory in Week 11 matchup

By Kyle Hundley

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with Alex Smith #11 on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with Alex Smith #11 on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Center Chase Roullier #73 and offensive guard Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Center Chase Roullier #73 and offensive guard Shawn Lauvao #77 of the Washington Redskins during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – The Redskins must keep the Texans’ pass rush off Alex Smith

After the Atlanta game in which season-ending injuries ravaged the offensive line, Jay Gruden and Bill Callahan did an outstanding job of getting the offensive line ready to go quickly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jonathan Cooper, who was out of work the week before, had a strong performance anchoring the run game. He was also active in pass protection as well. Cooper was continually looking for work when he wasn’t occupied throughout the game. While he did have some penalties, he will need another strong game and should be looking to help with some double-teams as Ty Nsekhe will have some tough matchups on the edge depending on how Houston lines up. Trent Williams got upgraded to questionable, so it will be interesting to see if he does play. Morgan Moses must be ready as well.

The Houston Texans have one of the best pass rush tandems in the NFL with J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and can single-handedly take over games. After a couple injury-plagued years, he is back to looking borderline unblockable this year and must be accounted for every play.

Related Story. Redskins Injury Report: Will Trent Williams play?. light

As if having to deal with Watt was enough, Jadeveon Clowney is also a game-wrecker. He is skilled enough to line up on both the interior or the on the edge and use his speed. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick already has 5.5 sacks on the season and won’t always see the double-teams that Watt will. The Redskins must win these matchups and keep a clean pocket again for Alex Smith this week, so he can go through progressions and find the open man.

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