1 Are they for real? The Redskins won two games at home over teams they probably should beat. The Giants were banged up, missing two elite defensive players. The Cardinals are a rather average team; good offense, suspect defense. However, their resolve and resiliency, not to mention the ability to make plays at opportune times, makes them tough to beat. Monday’s game vs. Dallas will reveal a little more, coming on the road against a divisional opponent.
2 What’s wrong with their red zone offense? The Redskins’ 11 trips inside the 20-yard line ties for most in the league. But their touchdown percentage rate of 45.5 leaves them 18th. But here’s the thing: In the opener, they scored touchdowns on three of four trips. In Week 2, it was two of seven. So it’s too early to label this a problem (though it was in the preseason, too). The scheme helps the Redskins’ drive between the 20-yard lines, where deception is easier. But sometimes it comes down to players making plays, especially when it breaks down. Do they have those players?
3 Will LaRon Landry finally play? It’s too early in the week to answer this one definitively but Landry told the Brian Mitchell show (B-Mitch Live) that “of course” he would play vs. Dallas. But it’s still dependent on what happens in practice. He’s hurt his hamstring twice. Has it fully healed? Regardless, the hunch is that he’s a lot closer this week than he ever was last week.
4 Can the offensive line duplicate its effort? The Redskins’ line did a terrific job vs. Arizona, providing cutback lanes, giving Rex Grossman enough time to throw, and controlling the game. If it wasn’t their best effort under Mike Shanahan, it was difficult to top. Arizona’s front seven is not the best so that must be taken into consideration. So the line has played one somewhat adequate game and one good one. Time to gain some consistency.
5 Are they catching Dallas at the right time? The Cowboys are nursing injuries to key players, including quarterback Tony Romo (ribs/lungs), running back Felix Jones (shoulder), receiver Miles Austin (hamstring) and receiver Dez Bryant (quad). In other words, their offensive playmakers. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL. Safe to say nobody in Washington is feeling sorry for the Cowboys.
– John Keim
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