At the beginning of the season, this looked like it might be a pretty easy Indy win. However, it's shaping up to be a pretty tough game for both teams. It's the kind of game that if the Skins win in prime time on a national stage, they will legitimize themselves as a true playoff contender. Keys to the game are as follows:
1. Skins need pressure on Manning. The Indy O line is decent but not great; however, Manning is the best/smartest QB in the league with good talent at his skill positions. He is like an O coordinator on the field and is able to read defenses and make the necessary adjustments at the line better than anyone I have seen. He will do his best to pick apart the Redskin defense. On the Redskin side, we have done a good job of limiting points against two tough passing offenses the last two weeks and we need to step up and do the same this week. I want to see more of a 4-3 and allow Haynesworth, Orakpo, and Carter to rush the QB with an occasional blitz from Landry. Then play more nickel so we don't give up big plays. Also, allow the CBs to be physical like they were last week. Mix in the blitz to keep Manning off balance but essentially maintain the same basic strategy as the last couple of weeks. The key though will be pressure because Manning will be able to find the gaps in the zone if he has time.
2. Torain. He has an opportunity to really step up against this poor rushing defense. This is the week we need to get the running game going. The running game will be the Skins best defense as we need to keep Manning and the Indy offense off the field. This is how Houston was so successful against Indy. We need to grind it out and keep longer sustained drives together. Torain will be key.
3. Short passing game. Again, we need longer drives and we can do this with shorter passes to keep drives alive. We had a good game plan last week and we should use essentially the same plan as we had last week. Would like to see the quick hitters to Cooley and Davis in the flat and then crossing patterns to Moss. Still, like to see a couple of shots downfield as well.
4. Homefield advantage. The home crowds have been great for the Skins so hopefully that continues this week. The crowd definitely had an impact in the Dallas and GB games so we will be counting on Deepie to get the crowd in a frenzy. If we lose, I will put the blame solely on him.
5. Special Teams. Banks has been close to breaking one and Sunday is a great time to see one of those.
I think it will be a pretty good game but I feel that Indy is the better team right now. The Skins will put up a good fight but Manning will pick apart the defense on the way to a 20-17 win.
2 comments:
24-10 Colts.
Manning will pick apart the D, but the Deadskins won't get totally blown away.
21-17 Skins
The Skins D has a habit of taking out the best players on the other team. That doesn't bode well for Manning or my boy Dallas Clark. Trent and Jamal need to take care of those DEs. Lichtensteiger needs to step up. I heard that Dockery is inactive for the game, interesting. McNabb, if accurate, can light up their secondary, also. I feel that McNabb will play his best this week because he would like to be considered closer to the Manning level when the contract talks begin again.
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