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Redskins vs. Falcons: Preview, matchups to watch, score prediction for NFL Preseason Week 3

By Jacob Camenker

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins drops back for a pass during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins drops back for a pass during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Redskins offense vs. Falcons defense

The big thing to watch in this game will be how the first-team offense truly looks against a starting defense. Case Keenum has led the unit in sparing action in the first couple of games with moderate success. But against the Falcons, he will have a chance to lead the team for a longer period of time.

Keenum’s biggest goal should be to create some scoring drives early against the Falcons defense. The Falcons have a strong overall second that includes Desmond Trufant, and a now-healthy Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen that should challenge the Redskins’ receivers. Keenum will need to be able to lock in on some of his targets, and perhaps this will be the game where we see who his top target ends up being.

Trey Quinn figures to have a shot at finding some space out of the slot, but guys like Terry McLaurin, Josh Doctson, and Robert Davis will all have a chance to get on Keenum’s good side in this one as well. Paul Richardson (calf) returned to the practice field on Monday, so he may have a chance to log some action on Thursday as well.

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As for Dwayne Haskins, he still remains the No. 2 option in the Redskins quarterback battle. The question now is, will he get at least a chance to lead a drive with some of the ones? It’s possible, but the team may end up giving a majority of the first-team reps to Keenum. Either way, Haskins will look to show growth, but it would be nice to see what he can do with the first-team offensive line protecting him.

Speaking of the offensive line, this game will do a lot to settle the starters at left tackle and left guard. At the moment, Geron Christian and Ereck Flowers still hold the advantage for the starting spots, at least according to the Redskins depth chart. That said, Donald Penn is breathing down Christian’s neck and could overtake him with another solid outing.

The Falcons don’t have a prolific pass rush, but they have some weapons that could test the left side of the line. Takk McKinley, Vic Beasley Jr., Adrian Clayborn, and fourth-round pick John Cominsky will battle against Christian and Penn and this game should ultimately determine who starts. In this analyst’s opinion, it should be Penn, as he has experience and Christian still desperately needs some time to grow.

The running game for Washington will likely include a heavy dose of backups in this one after getting some initial work for the roster locks. Derrius Guice’s status for this game isn’t yet know — the team has a “tentative plan” to play him — but if he gets on the field, expect it to just be for a couple of carries.

This game may represent Samaje Perine‘s last chance to prove he can make the roster. It will be a tough task for him to find space running against guys like Grady Jarrett and Tyeler Davison, but if he can do that, perhaps he can lock down that fourth running back role. If not, a guy like Byron Marshall or Craig Reynolds could make a push for his spot.

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