Cardinals at Redskins
Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. • TV » FOX • Radio » 980 AM/SIRIUS 126
Three keys to a Redskins victory
1. PRESSURE WARNER » There’s too much talent for Kurt Warner to find if he’s given time to throw. Ends Andre Carter and Jason Taylor need to apply consistent pressure. Cornelius Griffin was more active last week and needs to be so again. Also, this means the secondary needs to do its job by disrupting the rhythm off the line and playing good coverage. Warner will hold onto the ball, looking for a big play. The Redskins must make him pay.
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2. CONVERT IN THE RED ZONE » Washington was terrible in the red zone last week with two touchdowns on six trips. That won’t cut it this week. Arizona’s secondary is better than New Orleans, so it’ll be much harder to score on the big play. The Redskins need Clinton Portis to have a big game and continue his strong runs inside the 10-yard line. Jason Campbell has been smart in this area, but needs to be less hesitant and generate touchdowns.
3. IMPROVE SPECIAL TEAMS » Rookie punter Durant Brooks, you’re on the clock. Since winning the job over Derrick Frost he’s been terrible; his hangtime is bad and his punts are short. That’s a dangerous combination. Punt returner Antwaan Randle El is ineffective. The Redskins will use Santana Moss in this role at times; as one coach said, “You ride Santana when he’s hot and right now he’s hot.” Just don’t wear him out.
Key matchups
| SS Adrian Wilson vs. TE Chris Cooley | |
| The Cards will walk him into the box and he’ll be focused at times on stopping Cooley. Wilson has a knack for pass breakups. | He had a big game last week. With the receivers banged up, he should assume an even larger role in the passing game. |
| DT Darnell Dockett vs. LG Pete Kendall | |
| Maryland native only weighs 285 pounds, but is tenacious and disruptive in the backfield. The ends benefit from his presence. | He gets the tough assignment this week, but it’ll be rare when Dockett isn’t double-teamed. He’s too good. |
| WR Larry Fitzgerald vs. CB Shawn Springs | |
| He and Anquan Boldin form a dangerous combination. Fitzgerald is more explosive downfield; Boldin excels after the catch. | He won’t be alone in covering the Cards’ top receiver; the corners won’t rotate sides. But Springs’ athleticism will help slow Fitzgerald. |
State of the teams
» The Cardinals can go 3-0 for the first time since 1974, so naturally they’re feeling more confident than ever. They were expected to win their first two games. But when was the last time the Cards won every game they were supposed to?
» The Redskins gained a bump in confidence after the win over New Orleans. They also know what they have coming up after Arizona (Dallas and Philadelphia), making this almost a must-win situation.
The Examiner predicts …
Arizona is for real! Really? Haven’t we heard that before? Washington will control the ball on the ground and has the secondary to at least contain the Cards’ passing attack.
Redskins 21, Cardinals 20
