Takeaways are playing a large role in 4-3 start
ASHBURN – This is the defense they envisioned. Albert Haynesworth disrupting plays, quarterbacks under pressure, passes being intercepted. And, occasionally, points being scored.
All of which the Redskins did in Sunday’s 17-14 win over Chicago. The Redskins’ defense isn’t always aesthetically pleasing, but a big reason Washington is 4-3 is the defense’s knack for making big plays at the right time.
The Redskins are tied for second in the NFL with 17 forced turnovers, including six Sunday. They’re first in turnover differential at plus-8. That, as much as anything, explains the 4-3 mark.
Meanwhile, corner DeAngelo Hall tied an NFL record with four interceptions Sunday, all in the second half.
“Once you start to have those games, where you get multiple turnovers, it’s something you expect,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “You play the scheme and the defense the way it’s designed to be played and they come. There wasn’t anyone trying to do anything outside the design of the defense. It was everyone playing their responsibility, getting good pressure on the quarterback and being tight on their coverage.”
If the Redskins want to remain in contention, it’ll be up to the defense to create turnovers. They haven’t stopped teams and Chicago managed 322 total yards of offense. Still, with an offense that ranks 18th in yardage and 22nd in scoring, the defense must continue to make big plays.
Having Haynesworth continue to play a big role would help that quest. Sunday, he recorded three tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hurries.
“It’s the best he’s played obviously this season,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said, “and looking at film it’s the best game he’s played since he’s been here.”
That sort of outing for Haynesworth was, well, like a gift.
“It was just like Christmas Day, getting the gift you always wanted,” Fletcher said. “That’s one of the reasons they brought Albert in here because of how dominating he was.”
But it wasn’t just Haynesworth. Hall’s biggest interception, the 92-yarder returned for a touchdown, was set up by pressure from linebacker Brian Orakpo, beating the right tackle, and corner Carlos Rogers, blitzing from the other side. It forced quarterback Jay Cutler to throw off his back foot and without much zip. That enabled Hall to swoop in for the one-handed grab.
“DeAngelo is a very smart player,” Shanahan said. “He understands offensive patterns and he can anticipate different throws. One reason he can make so many plays is he has excellent hands.”
It was his first big game since saying, “This is my defense” after the loss to Houston.
“Pressure is going to bust pipes or turn something into a diamond,” Hall said. “I don’t mind having pressure on me … But it wasn’t just me and Jay Cutler going at it. It was the whole Redskins defense.”
