Redskins at Lions » Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Three keys to a Redskins victory
1 PROTECT THE BALL » This clearly is obvious. But the only way Detroit can win is if Washington is sloppy with the ball. The Redskins have four turnovers the past two games and could easily have had more. It’s no coincidence both those games were close. One turnover? No problem. But multiple ones will give a winless team hope. Ask the Rams what having hope means. Detroit should attack the Redskins, trying to force mistakes.
2 BEWARE CALVIN JOHNSON » Johnson is averaging 21.2 yards per catch and combines size (6-foot-5, 239 pounds) with speed. Carlos Rogers has played exceptionally well and did a nice job vs. Braylon Edwards last week. But let’s not forget: Edwards dropped four passes and was open on others. One way to stop Johnson is to apply pressure on quarterback Dan Orlovsky. He’s been sacked nine times in two games. Multiple looks and a timely blitz should do the trick.
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3 STAY AGGRESSIVE » This does not just mean throwing the ball. The Redskins run the ball aggressively as well, pounding Clinton Portis against a defense that surrenders 167.5 rushing yards a game (four teams have held the ball for more than 35 minutes vs. Detroit). However, the Lions also give up 251.2 passing yards per game and have intercepted just one pass. Hello, Santana Moss. His playmaking will prevent a close game.
Key matchups
| LT Chris Samuels | vs. | DE Dewayne White |
| He’s only had a couple road bumps in an otherwise solid season. His footwork remains excellent. | He leads the Lions with four sacks and also has two sack/fumbles. He’s a relentless rusher. | |
| RB Clinton Portis | vs. | LB Ernie Sims |
| The NFL’s leading rusher (818 yards) gets lots of help from the guys up front, not to mention the tight ends and fullback. | He’s a tackling machine from the weakside spot, leading the Lions with 58 stops. He’s small (225 pounds), but tenacious. | |
| DE Jason Taylor | vs. | RT George Foster |
| He’s expected to play despite needing more surgery. Between injuries and a new position, Taylor has had a frustrating season. | He’s been benched five times in two years, including once this season. Taylor has a chance for a good game, regardless of health. |
State of the teams
Washington continues to be confident, though the Redskins have not played very well the past two games. They aren’t taking these teams lightly. But injuries and the learning curve of a new passing game are taking a toll.
Detroit is winless and likely has a mood to match their record. The Lions have lost their starting quarterback, traded away a top receiver and have lost four games by 13 or more points. It’s no wonder this game is blacked out.
The Examiner predicts …
The Redskins have won every game by a touchdown or less. That streak ends today. A young quarterback won’t beat this defense.
Redskins 24, Browns 13
