The pressure arrived in an unusual way, compared to the way Gregg Williams crafted his reputation. Both corners didn’t blitz; nor did a linebacker loop around to the outside or a safety fly through the middle.
Rather, it was a three-man rush. And it produced exactly what many of those blitzes in the past could not: a turnover.
Thanks to the four-man rush, the Redskins already have two more interceptions — eight — than all of last season. A handful of others have been dropped.
“Last year they were more of a pressure defense, a lot more single coverage,” Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said. “It’s hard for guys to get interceptions if they’re in a lot of man-to-man situations.
“If you look at our interceptions, most of the time we’re playing zone and that allows seven guys to really see the quarterback and see the ball being thrown.”
For the Redskins (4-2) to pull an upset over 7-0 New England, the third-ranked defense must lead the way.
To do so, they’ll have to force turnovers. Which means sticking with the four-man rush; they haven’t blitzed in the past three games. That strategy also limits the big-play potential of a big-play offense. The Redskins have held opposing quarterbacks to an NFL-best 67.7 passer rating— New England’s Tom Brady has a 137.9 rating.
In Sunday’s 21-19 win over Arizona, both interceptions — one led to a touchdown; the other was returned for a score — were set up without blitzes. On the first, Washington played a cover-2 with man coverage underneath. That left safety Pierson Prioleau on intended receiver Anquan Boldin. Ends Andre Carter and Chris Wilson pinched the pocket, hurrying quarterback Kurt Warner’s throw.
Safety Sean Taylor stood behind Boldin, who was not open, and easily intercepted the overthrow.
“[The front four] makes the QB step off his landmark and throw balls like that,” corner Carlos Rogers said. “We need that, especially this week.”
On the second interception, defensive tackle Demetric Evans dropped into coverage over the middle. Fletcher stood behind Boldin’s outside shoulder. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin collapsed the pocket, forcing Warner to throw early and, with Evans blocking the inside, he missed wide. Fletcher easily makes the interception and 27 yards later, he scored. It’s the second time Fletcher has picked off a pass with Evans in coverage.
“The quarterback might not have the initial read he thought he would with a four-man front,” Evans said.
Said Warner, “Against a defense like this, you have to let the ball go a little earlier than against other teams. If you miss, you just hope they don’t make the plays.”
