Redskins vs. Titans: Week 16 offense and defense matchups, score prediction

Redskins defense vs. Titans offense

On defense, the Redskins should have one thing in mind. Stop the run. If they can do that, they will be able to limit the Titans’ offense.

In recent weeks, Derrick Henry has burst back onto the scene as a relevant lead back. Henry has totaled 408 yards and a ridiculous six touchdowns in the past two weeks. That type of production is just insane. He is tough to bring down when he runs hard, but the ‘Skins have the personnel to stop him.

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen will play huge roles in trying to disrupt the interior of the Titans’ offensive line. If they can do that and collapse down on Henry or force him to bounce to the outside, the team should have a great chance to at least slow down the power back from Alabama.

Elsewhere on offense, Marcus Mariota hasn’t been doing much in recent weeks as a passer. The team has just been reliant on the run game, so he might have a bit of rust if he’s forced to pass more. Additionally, his receiving weapons haven’t been great this year and Mariota has struggled with accuracy at times. So, if the Redskins can force him to take on a brunt of the offensive work, that would be a positive.

The only real receiving weapon the Titans have is Corey Davis. The second-year man has had a decent season, but he sometimes disappears for long stretches of time. He will go up against Josh Norman, who will have to erase him to help make up for the deficiencies in other areas of the secondary (the team has a lot of banged-up players on the back end).

The pass rush will also be huge in disrupting the pass game. If Ryan Kerrigan can help to make Mariota uncomfortable, that will go a long way to ensuring that the Redskins win on defense.

Overall, this looks like a dead-heat at the worst, and possibly a slight advantage for the ‘Skins. That said, Henry is the true Wild Card, and if he goes off again, it will be difficult for Washington to fully contain this offense.