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Redskins vs. Titans: 5 keys to victory in key Week 16 battle

By Kyle Hundley

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 16: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins signals before the snap during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 16: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins signals before the snap during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of 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: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of 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) /

4. Redskins must win the turnover battle

Early on in the season with Alex Smith under center, the Redskins dominated the turnover battle. After he went down though, they had a had a four-game losing streak. But, that losing streak wasn’t merely because Smith went down.

Yes, losing the franchise quarterback is deflating. But, Smith wasn’t playing particularly well before he did go down. They won a lot of those games because they won the turnover battle. Josh Johnson played a game very similar to what Alex Smith played by protecting to the football and not turning it over. As a result, the Redskins won 2-0 in turnovers and it was the ultimately the difference in their victory Sunday.

The Redskins must protect the football again this Saturday. Mariota can be turnover prone and will throw one or two balls that can potentially be intercepted. The secondary, as banged up as it is, must be opportunistic and make plays on those balls when they’re there. If they can force a turnover or two and score some points off of them, they should win this game as it figures to be low-scoring and tight.

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