Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Three keys to a Washington Football Team victory vs. Panthers

By Jacob Troutman

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 19: Running back Mike Davis #28 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against nose tackle Kenny Clark #97 and free safety Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers first half of the game at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 19: Running back Mike Davis #28 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against nose tackle Kenny Clark #97 and free safety Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers first half of the game at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Stop the run

The Washington Football Team has a vastly improved defense this year. It is, in fact, at times one of the best defenses in the NFL. However, it does have a weakness: Stopping the run. When teams want to run on the Washington Football Team, Washington tends to have some trouble stopping it.

The Seattle Seahawks totaled 181 yards rushing. The Lions’ D’Andre Swift averaged 5.1 yards a carry on 16 carries, and the Giants totaled 184 yards rushing coming off Washington’s bye. For as good as Washington’s defense is, there is a track record of a struggle to stop the run.

It is a safe bet to assume the Panthers will attempt to take advantage of that again. While Christian McCaffrey is officially listed as doubtful, Mike Davis is a quality option. And the Panthers probably do not trust Teddy Bridgewater too much right now with the way he has been playing. Especially with Washington’s pass rush.

Stop the run and make Bridgewater beat you. I will take my chances with Chase Young and Montez Sweat off the edge and the Alabama interior against Bridgewater.

The Washington Football Team needs to stop the run this week. Make Teddy Bridgewater make big plays. But do not let a running attack get going to help him. Make the Panthers one-dimensional on offense.

Home/Commanders News