Redskins vs. Giants: Keys to victory in Week 16 of the 2019 season
By Kyle Hundley
3. Redskins must shut down Saquon Barkley
One player facing the Redskins this week that wasn’t in their first matchup is Saquon Barkley. Barkley is among the most talented running backs in the league and can break loose at any moment. The Redskins did an excellent job of bottling him up in the first game last year before he got loose for 170 rushing yards and a touchdown in the second game.
After a modest couple of weeks once returning from injury, Barkley was on full display again against the Dolphins, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. He also caught four passes for 31 yards. Barkley is easily the best player on the Giants’ offense and someone that must be accounted for at all times.
After the Packers’ Aaron Jones torched them a few weeks ago, the Redskins’ defense was unable to stop the run again, this time getting burned by Miles Sanders (19 carries 122 yards and a touchdown), who played in the same backfield as Barkley when they were at Penn State. Barkley is more talented than both of them. If the ‘Skins hope to shut down the Giants’ offense, it starts with shutting down Barkley. If he gets loose like last year, Washington will have a tough time stopping New York.