Redskins vs. Titans: 5 players to watch in Week 16 of 2018

No. 3 – DT Daron Payne

If you have him on your fantasy team, then you know better than anyone: Titans running back Derrick Henry has gone on a tear over the past two weeks. Over the past two weeks, Henry has logged 408 yards and six touchdowns on 50 rushing attempts.

To put it simply Henry has been a beast, particularly after contact, and to stop him on Sunday, the job will have to be given to the team’s best run defenders. Run defense, of course, is a three-level affair, but it starts with the men up front. It starts with Daron Payne.

Payne’s had a fine rookie season of his own; one could make the argument that Payne deserved more consideration for the Pro Bowl. So far, Payne has accrued 5.0 sacks, 28 solo tackles, and two pass deflections, making a name for himself as a well-rounded interior lineman.

Payne, however, was drafted particularly for his prowess in run defense, and on Sunday, that is what he’ll be tasked to do. If the Redskins can snuff out Henry, then can take the Titans’ most consistent offensive weapon away from them. Payne will be key.