NFL
Week 5 Preview: Washington Redskins vs New Orleans Saints
Can the Redskins Pull Off the Upset Monday Night Against the Saints?
Of the nine losses Washington had in 2017, none hurt more than the loss to the Saints. The Redskins held a 31-16 lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime 34-31. Fast-forward to 2018, both teams are entering the game leading their respective divisions. Washington had an early bye-week but at 2-1 they lead the NFC East. Drew Brees and the Saints are riding a three-game winning streak after losing their season opener against Tampa Bay.
Much has been made about Drew Brees breaking the passing yardage record and rightfully so. Ultimately the only record that really matters is the win-loss column. With that being said, Washington is more than capable of spoiling Brees’ big day.
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are without question the best running back duo in the entire NFL. However, on Monday night, the Redskins need Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson to be the best duo on the field. The performance of Thompson and Peterson will play a big role in if the Redskins can pull off the upset.
The Saints have the third-best rushing defense in the NFL but that’s because teams are too busy exploiting their 30th ranked passing defense. The offensive line of the Redskins need to impose their will on the Saints front-seven which should open things up for the running game. Thompson suffered a fractured fibula in the loss to the Saints a year ago, while Peterson was traded to Arizona from New Orleans. Both players should have a little extra motivation.
The Front-Seven Has to Dictate to Drew Brees
Now would be a good time for Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith to start accumulating sacks. Both players are off to a slow start as they have zero sacks after accounting for 20 between the two of them in 2017. A major reason why is because of the emergence of the defensive line. Matt Ioannidis has three sacks while Daron Payne (1) and Jonathan Allen (2) have shown pass rush ability. Drew Brees has a plethora of options on offense and I’m not sure if the Redskins defense can limit them all. The fact remains that football games are won and lost in the trenches. The pass rush of Smith and Kerrigan would go a long way in disrupting Drew Brees and the rhythm of the Saints offense.
Fantasy Implications
Quarterback Alex Smith could have his best game as a Redskin against the porous Saints passing defense. The Redskins have the receivers to expose the secondary of New Orleans. Smith rarely turns the football over and he’s outperformed Drew Brees in the past. Tonight he shows the Redskins made the right move in trading for him.
Game Prediction
Everything points in the direction of a Saints win but the Redskins are in a good spot to pull off the upset. It seems like much of the focus has been Brees breaking the record instead of the actual game itself. On a prime-time stage, Washington can put the rest of the NFC on notice. Jay Gruden picks up a big win as his Redskins get some poetic justice 34-31.
Photo Credit: Homer McFanboy via Flickr
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