1 Facing the first-quarter MVP of the league » Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has had the best season in the NFL after four weeks. He leads the league with a 112.1 passer rating and has thrown for 1,162 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. With a limited rushing attack (97.8 yards a game, ranked 18th in the league), Ryan has led the undefeated Falcons to the most points (31 a game) in the NFC. Wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez give Ryan plenty of options in the passing attack.
2 Allowing some pressure » While Ryan has been great, he has been sacked 11 times this season. But can the Redskins take advantage without Brian Orakpo? Houston defensive end J.J. Watt has more sacks than the entire Redskins team this year. Washington will rely heavily on outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan to try to make Ryan feel uncomfortable. Kerrigan, who has a team-high 3 1/2 sacks, has recorded at least a half-sack in each of the first four games.
3 Run, run Redskins » The biggest advantage for the Redskins is their running game. The Falcons rank 29th in run defense, allowing 146.3 yards a game. Meanwhile, Washington has the top rushing attack in the league, averaging 175.5 yards a game. With running back Alfred Morris (376 yards) and quarterback Robert Griffin III (252 yards), the Redskins have the top two rookie rushers in the league. The zone read has been tough for everyone to defend, although the Falcons will be seeing it for a second consecutive week after facing Cam Newton and the Panthers on Sunday. But Atlanta won’t exactly have film on how to stop it. Newton ran for 86 of the team’s 199 rushing yards.
4 Turner still solid » For a running back, the 30-year-old mark often means the end is near. The Falcons’ Michael Turner turned 30 in February and was expected to have a lighter load this season. But he hasn’t really been challenged by backup Jacquizz Rodgers, who has just 75 yards on 26 carries. After having more than 300 carries for three of the last four years, Turner is on pace for 220 rushes this season. The reduced role has not hurt his production, though. Turner has rushed for 257 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 4.7 yards a carry. He’s still solid, just not dynamic.
