This could be an
interesting and extremely entertaining game. Both teams have shown the ability
to put points on the board in bunches and neither team has shown the ability to
stop an opposing offense.
When the Redskins Throw the Ball
The Redskins are
starting rookies at QB and RB, but, so far, they have performed like anything
but. RG3 has picked up in the NFL right where he left off in college. After
throwing for 300+ yds and 2 TDs in a surprising week 1 win in New Orleans, he
came back with another strong performance in week 2 (200+ yds passing 1 TD,
1INT 80+ yds rushing) at St. Louis. This is the home opener for Washington and
RG3 and look for the Redskins to attack what has been a weak Bengals secondary
so far. While the Redskins do not have elite talent at the WR position, neither
did Cleveland and yet the Bengals secondary has given up 600+ yards passing in
2 weeks and made a much lesser rookie, Brandon Weeden, look like Tom Brady last
week. The Bengals secondary should be aided by the return of top pass rusher
Carlos Dunlap and pressure on RG3 will be key. I expect RG3 to have a big day,
both running and throwing against the Bengals defense, however, if Dunlap and
the Bengals line can get some pressure on the rookie, the Bengals secondary has
the talent to take advantage of poorly thrown passes.
When the Redkins Run the Ball
With Mike Shanahan,
you never know who will get the bulk of the work in the backfield from game to
game, but so far, it looks like it will be the rookie Morris. Morris has played
well in the first 2 weeks (185 yds 2 TDs and 4.2 ypc) and the Bengals have had
trouble stopping the run against Baltimore and Cleveland. Look for the Redskins
to establish the run early to take some pressure off RG3. If the Bengals
defense continues to tackle the way they have in the first two weeks, Morris
may be able to get going and open up the deep ball for RG3.
When the Bengals Throw
The Bengals passing
game looked a little off in week 1 in Baltimore and for much of the first half
against Cleveland. However, in the second half of the Cleveland game, it really
started to click. Andy Dalton is an accurate passer and has the weapons that
can cause trouble for an underwhelming secondary like that of the Redskins. The
Bengals have one of the elite young WRs in AJ Green and an explosive slot guy
in Andrew Hawkins. Green will likely see double coverage, leaving Hawkins
one-on-one with a S, LB, or nickel CB, all match ups that favor Hawkins. On the
opposite side, the Bengals have an underappreciated #2 in Armon Binns. Binns is
a good route runner with good hands and takes advantage of the double teams
Green commands. Lastly, the Bengals feature one of the top TE talents in
Jermaine Gresham. Though he has had a slow start to 2012, look for Gresham to
take advantage of a defense likely to be focused on Green and Hawkins. With
star DEs Orakpo and Carriker out, Washington may have trouble stopping this
passing attack.
When the Bengals Run the Ball
The Bengals O-line,
though inexperienced and still adapting to a new C, has performed admirably in
the first two weeks, especially in their run blocking. BJGE has had 2 strong
weeks (166 yds and 4.3 ypc) and rarely gets stopped for no gain. He has also
been an effective outlet to Andy Dalton in the passing game. Also, the Bengals
look to get Bernard Scott back this week. While the amount of which Scott will
be used has yet to be determined, he should provide a good change of pace to
BJGE and his shiftiness could provide a welcomed compliment to BJGE’s power
running. With Steven Jackson getting hurt early last week, the Redskins defense
has yet to face a power runner, yet, they still were unable to stop the Rams
running attack last week (151 yds). I expect the Bengals to be able to run the
ball early and often on this defense, further opening up the passing attack.
Prediction
This is a tough game
to predict. Both teams can score and neither team has shown the ability to stop
their opponent from scoring. I predict more of the same, and expect a shootout.
Until RG3 looks like a rookie, I refuse to treat him as such, and therefore, I
believe this game turns on home field advantage and the added element of RG3’s
ability to run and extend plays. That combined with the Bengals poor secondary
play makes me reluctantly lean towards the Redskins in a highly entertaining
game.
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