Washington Football Team: Five players to watch in Week 10 vs. Lions
2. RB J.D. McKissic
J.D. McKissic may be one of the most important players for Washington on Sunday. There are a few reasons for that, but namely, it’s his impact in the passing game.
In Washington’s last game against the Giants, McKissic saw a whopping 14 targets, good for the most on the team. He was Alex Smith’s preferred checkdown option and he made the most of his short targets, turning them into nine catches for 65 yards. He may need to do that again to help Washington.
With Smith set to start, McKissic will be key to help protect him. Whether he’s picking up a blitz or just serving as a safety valve, he’ll allow Smith to avoid being hit and will him avoid the need to scramble. Washington will probably have McKissic out there a lot considering that he’s more experienced in pass protection than rookie Antonio Gibson, so McKissic should play a key role for the offense.
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It’s also worth noting that the Lions have the worst defense against running backs in the NFL. They have allowed nearly 1,500 total yards and 15 total touchdowns to the position and are allowing 5.06 yards per rush this season. McKissic is explosive and shifty enough to take advantage of this and while Gibson may end up handling a good chunk of the rushing workload, McKissic’s impact in this area can’t be ignored.
Also, it’s worth noting that McKissic played for the Lions last year, so that means two things. First, he could know the weaknesses of the team’s defense. Second, he may be out for revenge after the team let him walk in free agency and replaced him with early draft-pick D’Andre Swift and former WFTer Adrian Peterson after he was cut in August. Never doubt a player’s motivation when facing his former squad.
All told, don’t be surprised to see McKissic post a 100-yard game and battle for the team lead in total yardage. This matchup seems like a good one for him and the chemistry he’s building with Smith should give him a chance to rack up some touches.