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Redskins vs. Browns: Preview, matchups to watch, score prediction for NFL Preseason Week 1

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch and runs it in for a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch and runs it in for a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Redskins offense vs. Browns defense

All eyes will be on the Redskins’ quarterback battle, as Colt McCoy, Case Keenum, and Dwayne Haskins jockey for position on a crowded depth chart. McCoy will likely get the first chance to start at quarterback after topping the team’s initial depth chart, and he should be tested by the Browns’ defense.

The Browns have a solid defensive unit overall and while their starters may not log much, if any, action, they have a number of young, talented players that could see some action on Thursday night. Namely, rookies Greedy Williams, Sione Takitaki, and Mack Wilson will strengthen the back seven and will try to take away the Redskins’ receiving weapons and tight ends.

Speaking of the receiving weapons, this will be a chance for the Redskins top targets in the receiving game to prove themselves. The Browns have corner depth as Williams figures to get action while experienced guys like Terrance Mitchell, Eric Murray, and T.J. Carrie could also see the field a bit. For the Redskins, this will provide a nice test for guys like Cam Sims, Robert Davis, Kelvin Harmon, and Terry McLaurin as they look to prove themselves capable of producing at the NFL level.

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Of this group, McLaurin may well be the top player to watch. He has the requisite speed and special teams ability needed to make an impact early in his career. If he gets a chance to work with Haskins and showcases chemistry with him, that could further his case to be a starter in the future along with Haskins. The Ohio State duo should at least have a chance to connect for a few passes if they play together in this contest.

Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Derrius Guice — if he plays (Jay Gruden was non-committal about playing him in Tuesday’s press conference). Guice looked good in very limited preseason action last year before suffering a torn ACL. He will look to show that he’s healthy and still explosive against a Cleveland line that has plenty of run-stuffing depth. Adrian Peterson doesn’t figure to get much work, if he even plays, so that will open the door for Samaje Perine to get some carries. Perine has been drawing rave reviews from Gruden this offseason, so it will be interesting to see if he can show off in the preseason and prove that he is a capable backup. And if Guice is out, he really could have a chance to prove himself.

And finally, the battle on the Redskins offensive line should be interesting to watch. So far in practice, Geron Christian and Ereck Flowers have been working as a left tackle/guard tandem along with Donald Penn and Wes Martin. ‘Skins fans probably want to see the latter unit win the starting job, but the competition should be fierce against Cleveland.

If guys like Genard Avery, Chad Thomas, and Anthony Zettel see action on that side of the line, that could be a good test for both units. And whichever duo performs better will likely have the inside track to becoming starters.

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