Redskins: Five players to watch in Week 4 bout with Giants

No. 1 – Redskins SS Landon Collins

Landon Collins has not been shy about his feelings on the Giants since joining the Redskins in March. He wants to take it to New York, and this Sunday, he’ll get his chance.

The Giants defense, since losing Collins, has gone from bad to very bad. Certain pieces have regressed, and the Giants defense, which finished No. 24 in yards allowed per game last year, is now No. 31 in that department, allowing around 90 more yards per game through the first three contests of 2019.

Collins hasn’t exactly made the Redskins defense better. But more of Washington’s failings can be attributed to scheme than anything. That said, it was hoped that Collins, a veteran who excels in communicating with his teammates, would help improve the communication in the secondary, to help cut down on confusing communication gaffes. He hasn’t yet.

Collins has made a solid individual impact, despite the problems with the unit meshing as a whole. Per Pro Football Focus’ Nick Akridge, Collins has ten defensive stops so far this season (plays that qualify as a “loss” for the offense), and that figure is league-leading among safeties thus far.

Collins still has a lot to work on to amount to his contract, and he can start this weekend by shoring up the secondary’s communication against a rookie quarterback and a team with which he has pre-existing experience.