Redskins vs. Jaguars: 5 Keys to Victory in Week 15

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on in the second quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 9, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on in the second quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 9, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Running back Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne #95 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Running back Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne #95 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Redskins must make the Jaguars one-dimensional

When the Jaguars took Leonard Fournette with the No. 4 in the draft two years ago, that showed everyone the level of commitment that they were willing to make to the running game. They are a run-first team. They will also be starting Cody Kessler at quarterback for the third week in a row. Their offense has not looked great in the two games he started. In those two games, they have scored just six and nine points. If the Jaguars are going to find their offensive stride, it is going to be through Fournette and not Kessler.

The Redskins run defense continued its downward spiral with another poor showing against Saquon Barkley, as he had over 100 yards before halftime, including a 78-yard touchdown where he wasn’t even touched. The defense must do a better job with angles when pursuing the runner and must clean up the missed tackles when they do get there.

Fournette has a similar playstyle in that he is a big-bodied downhill back who can be tough to tackle and can break one at any time. While he is not having the same kind of year he did as a rookie, he is still an elite talent. If they do not keep him contained and allow Fournette to start moving the chains and establish the run, the defense will be in for another long day.