Redskins (7-5) at Ravens (8-4) » Sunday, 8:15 p.m.
TV » NBC • Radio » 980 AM/SIRIUS 126
Three keys to a Redskins victory
1. CONTROL NGATA » Ravens nose guard Hatoli Ngata has become a force in the middle of Baltimore’s 3-4 defense. He’s big, weighing at least at 345 pounds, and can run. If he has a good day, the Redskins will have a difficult time running the ball. Redskins center Casey Rabach is giving up more than 50 pounds in this matchup, so he must stay low. He’ll have to win this battle, allowing the other linemen to get to a fierce group of linebackers.
2. IMPROVE THE RUN » This is related to the first key, of course. But Washington has not run the ball well lately against good defenses. As a team the Redskins have not surpassed 100 yards on the ground in three of their last four games, each coming against top defenses. That’s put the passing game in horrible spots — in their three losses, 37 of their 42 third downs have been for four yards or more. That’s a recipe for disaster.
3. BEWARE THE DEEP BALL » Baltimore is the NFL’s second best team running the ball, despite having no back with more than 545 yards. What this has done, however, is open up the rest of the offense. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has made more big plays lately, getting lots of help from emerging, and speedy, receiver Mark Clayton and steady wideout Derrick Mason. Washington’s corners need a strong day.
Key matchups
| QB Jason Campbell | vs. | S Ed Reed |
| The Ravens apply enough pressure to force quarterbacks into mistakes; it’s how they’ve picked off 20 passes this season. | No safety does a better job of reading the quarterback than Reed, who has five interceptions — two for touchdowns. | |
| RB Clinton Portis | vs. | LB Ray Lewis |
| Just what an aching running back needs — a game vs. a physical defense. Portis’ toughness is Washington’s best hope. | He’s still a feared hitter, and player. The Redskins must get a blocker on him or he’ll dominate. | |
| LT Chris Samuels | vs. | LB Terrell Suggs |
| He’s playing with a bad knee, one that could use a week off. He won’t get it; but it makes facing good rushers challenging. | He’s listed as a linebacker, but has the size of a defensive end. Suggs leads Baltimore with six sacks. |
State of the teams
» Washington is 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.
» Baltimore has become one of the better stories in the NFL, with a rookie coach and quarterback leading a team that is only getting better. The Ravens’ offense has continued to improve. They have a shot at a division title.
The Examiner predicts …
The Redskins have not fared well against good defenses. Baltimore has one of the best, with playmakers all over the place.
Giants 23, Redskins 13
