The Washington Redskins will have some new faces in key roles on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Here are the top guys to watch in that contest.
The Redskins are off to an 0-2 start to kick off the 2019 campaign. They have been competitive in the first half of games, but they have been terrible in the second half outside of garbage time. They need to start playing full 60-minute games soon or things could slip away from this beleaguered team and coaching staff quickly.
In Week 3, the Redskins are getting a good chance to notch their first win of the season. The Chicago Bears are coming to town for a Monday night showdown that could give the ‘Skins their first shot at a victory. The Bears defense has played well this season, but their offense has been woeful. Frankly, they should be 0-2 as well, but they were bailed out on the final drive of their game against the Broncos by a bogus roughing the passer penalty called on Bradley Chubb.
Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t been good at all this year, so if the Redskins defense can contain him, they’ll have a chance to win. However, the offense is also going to have to step up and play well on that side of the ball against what is one of the five best defenses in the league.
With that said, here’s a look at the players to watch in Monday night’s Redskins vs. Bears game, starting with an impressive rookie on the offensive side of the ball.
5. WR Terry McLaurin
Many expected Terry McLaurin to be good when he was drafted in the third round by the Redskins. But did anyone expect him to be this good this quickly?
In two games to start the season, McLaurin has been nothing short of terrific. He has 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns while serving as an excellent deep threat for the Washington offense. He could’ve had another long touchdown too had he not been slightly overshot by Case Keenum in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That said, McLaurin is going to be seeing a lot of attention moving forward, as he is far and away the team’s best receiving option. The Bears have one of the league’s better defenses, and cornerback Kyle Fuller has been one of the best in the league at his position over the past couple of years. If he shadows McLaurin, the rookie could have a tough day.
Still, McLaurin possesses top-notch route running ability and the speed to separate. He could really establish himself as a star if he can put on a solid performance against the Bears. Doing well against the Eagles and Cowboys was one thing, but getting 100-yard game or a long touchdown catch against the Bears will be another.
If the Redskins offense wants to move the ball, McLaurin will need to get going. To do that, he’ll need to beat Fuller. It will be interesting to see if he can do that and it makes him one of the top players to watch moving forward.
4. QB Case Keenum
So far through two games, Keenum has been solid as the starting quarterback. He was very good against the Eagles in Week 1 and was decent against the Cowboys in Week 2 though he struggled to move the ball downfield in that affair. He has avoided turnovers and posted impressive stats — 69 percent completion rate, 601 yards, and five touchdowns. The only issue is that he hasn’t been able to help his team win.
Winning is obviously a team effort and the ‘Skins have been let down by their defense, running game, and offensive line to start the season. But Keenum has had some moments where he could’ve helped the team do a bit more. In the opener against the Eagles, he overshot McLaurin on a throw that would’ve been a touchdown. That came in the midst of a third quarter where the offense posted only six total yards. And Keenum deserves at least part of the blame for that.
Against the Cowboys, Keenum was able to complete short passes but failed to stretch the field effectively for the most part. Again, he did enough to keep the team competitive early on, but he’ll need to be more consistent over the course 60 minutes much like the rest of the team.
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Keenum is going to be tested by the Bears defense. And this may be his chance to prove that he can will the team to victory. The Bears have a very strong stop unit and they are likely to pressure Washington and challenge their receivers. Keenum will have to throw with pinpoint accuracy and find ways to beat Chicago’s defense. If he can do that, it would be a major feather in his cap and could help get the team their first victory.
Keenum has been very solid to start the year and has done more than Alex Smith did as a passer in the first two games last season. The only difference is that this iteration of the Redskins team has yet to win. Now, Keenum will have a chance to really make a statement, step up, and get the ‘Skins a key primetime win at home.
3. CB Aaron Colvin
The Redskins signed Aaron Colvin last week after he was unceremoniously released in a hasty move by the Houston Texans. Colvin, just starting the second year of a four-year, $34 million contract, was cut after playing soft coverage on a play that allowed the New Orleans Saints to get in position for a game-winning field goal.
While Colvin wasn’t great during his tenure with the Texans, he deserved better than that. And the Redskins are getting a chance to buy low on Colvin, who had previously excelled as a slot corner for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the wake of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie being placed on Injured Reserve, Colvin is going to have a role to play with the squad. Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau are still working their way back from injuries. At this point in time, it’s unclear if either will be able to go on Monday against the Bears. If they can’t, Colvin will figure heavily into the cornerback rotation.
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Right now, the only fully healthy corners on the Redskins are Josh Norman, Jimmy Moreland, Colvin, and Simeon Thomas. Thomas was signed last week to serve as a special teams option for the squad but did play a couple of defensive snaps. If Dunbar and Moreau are out, he’d figure to be the top backup with Colvin either playing outside or in the slot with Moreland on the outside. That wouldn’t be ideal, but if Colvin can regain the form he had in Jacksonville, it could end up being okay for the Redskins.
Of course, if Moreau or Dunbar returns to the team, Colvin would end up being the top backup. That would still give him a chance to see plenty of action, especially if Norman or Moreland struggles. He’ll be a player to watch regardless of where he’s playing, as he figures to see the field more than he did after last week’s game when he joined the team two days prior to the action.
Colvin has some upside for the ‘Skins. Now, we’ll see if he can find a way to play a role in their porous secondary.
2. OT Morgan Moses
This offseason, much was made about the potential gaping hole the Redskins would have on the left side of the line with Trent Williams holding out. So far through two games, Donald Penn has been solid in place of Williams while Ereck Flowers has made some nice strides at guard.
In a shocking twist, it has been the right side of the line that has played poorly. And in particular, right tackle Morgan Moses has been a problem spot.
Moses is in the second year of a five-year, $38 million contract that made him one of the highest-paid right tackles in the league at the time it was signed. So far, he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
In two games, Moses has already committed three penalties while allowing a sack and generally looking mediocre in all facets of the game. Penalties have always been an issue for him, but he has rarely generated any push at the point of attack and has looked a step slow for most of the season.
Could he be dealing with an injury? Perhaps. It’s also possible that years of nagging ankle and lower-body injuries are taking their toll. But either way, his performance needs to improve.
Moses will get a big test on Monday night against Khalil Mack. He is one of the best edge rushers in the league and if Moses isn’t up to the task, Keenum could be under constant pressure if Mack lines up across from Moses. For that reason, Moses’ performance will bear watching on Sunday and he could be the key to the offense staying competitive against the Bears defense.
1. EDGE Montez Sweat
Through the first two games of his career, Montez Sweat hasn’t done a whole lot as a pass rusher. He has recorded nine tackles through two games, but he hasn’t put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He has caught flak for that, but it’s not entirely warranted.
Sweat is only two games into his career. He has elite athletic traits and a freaky-long frame. He also happens to have played against two of the best offensive lines in the NFL in his debut. The Cowboys and the Eagles both have excellent tackles, so that explains why Sweat hasn’t been able to generate a lot of pressure.
Developing at the NFL level is a process. After all, the aforementioned Mack had only four sacks as a rookie. So patience is important with Sweat and he soon could break out.
Against the Bears, Sweat will have another chance to get his first NFL sack. Chicago has a good offensive line, but their tackles aren’t nearly as strong as the ones Dallas and Philadelphia have. And Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t played well to start this season and took five sacks against the Green Bay Packers.
If Sweat can use his length and athleticism to battle left tackle Charles Leno Jr., who has committed four penalties already this season, he could wind up getting his first sack. Either way, he should be able to get more pressure and show Redskins fans exactly why they traded up into the back-end of the first round to acquire his services.
This may be the week that Sweat really starts adjusting to the NFL. If he can get a bit hot, that will do a lot to build his confidence and give him a chance to produce more moving forward.