Redskins Reality Checks: Team facing most important week of the year

4. The Reality Is, Nate Orchard and Chris Odom proved Manusky’s defense is too confusing.

Chris Odom and Nate Orchard came in essentially off the street last week and made massive impacts on both the short-yardage run defense and the pass rush. Their ability to make such a positive impact without even knowing the defense playbook is a tribute to their effort and preparedness. But it’s also an indictment of Manusky’s defensive playbook and philosophy in the first place. Those guys didn’t know the playbook. They just went out there and played football… and contributed to the best defensive showing of the year so far. Maybe Manusky should take note and simplify things so the rest of the team can play fast and loose, too.

My Prediction: Manusky will try to “coach up” those guys this week and they’ll be stuck thinking too much to be productive.