Redskins (7-6) at Bengals (1-11-1) » Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV » FOX • Radio » 980 AM/SIRIUS 125
Three keys to a Redskins victory
1. RUN STRAIGHT » With Stephon Heyer at left tackle and Jason Fabini at right tackle, the Redskins lack the tackles who can execute their stretch plays consistently. They will struggle to get to the linebackers to open cutback lanes. So the Redskins need to pound it more up the middle. Both Fabini and Heyer block better straight ahead. This would simplify their assignments and enable the running game to get going. Mix in the outside zones and cutback runs, but the staple must be power.
2. CONVERT CHANCES » The Redskins lost to the Rams because they dropped interceptions that would have given them great field position. They nearly lost to the Browns and Lions because they failed to score despite gaining lots of yards. And it’s why they can’t beat good defenses. With the Bengals, remove their desire early by scoring touchdowns, not field goals, when in the red zone. Even the Bengals can spring an upset if this doesn’t happen.
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3. BE PATIENT » The Bengals are a bad team, but they are a professional team nonetheless. The Redskins can’t get upset if they don’t have a two-touchdown lead early in the game. In the last three games, Cincinnati has played Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indianapolis close in the first half. The Bengals stop the run well enough to stay in games for a while before a lack of depth, and talent, wears them out.
Key matchups
| CB Carlos Rogers | vs. | WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh |
| He was burned last week for a touchdown, but got not help from the blitz. Still having a strong season. | He leads the Bengals with 89 catches and four touchdowns, but averages only 9.9 yards per catch. | |
| WR Santana Moss | vs. | CB Leon Hall |
| He’s been way too quiet lately. Yes, he gets double-teamed. But true No. 1 wideouts beat double teams. | He’s a good cover corner, but lacks the speed to stick with Moss. If, and when, Hall covers Moss the Redskins must capitalize. | |
| RT Jason Fabini | vs. | DE Robert Geathers |
| Barring a last-minute miracle, he’ll get the start. Geathers can hurt him if he’s not careful. | He leads the Bengals with 2 1⁄2 sacks. That hardly makes him a beast, but he’s probably excited for this matchup. |
State of the teams
» Washington is in a chaotic state. Too many players are unhappy, either with their role or with the play calls or the supposed finger pointing. They’re desperate for a win, if only to start repairing their psyche.smarting after losing three of its last four games and the criticism is mounting. The Redskins have finished strong in two of the previous three seasons, but they now look old and broken down.
» Cincinnati is 1-11-1 — how do you think they feel? Lousy. No doubt they want this season over with. The Bengals have dealt with more injuries than practically any team in the NFL. They play hard; they lose.
The Examiner predicts …
The Bengals will keep it close for a half, but will eventually wear down. Washington gets a much-needed win, riding Clinton Portis.
Redskins 27, Bengals 7
